Now Reading: Zelenskyy visits Russian ally Serbia as Moscow pounds Kyiv
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Zelenskyy visits Russian ally Serbia as Moscow pounds Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first official visit to Serbia on August 7, meeting President Aleksandar Vucic. Serbia, historically close to Russia, has refused to join Western sanctions on Moscow but…
The Story in Brief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his first official visit to Serbia on August 7, meeting President Aleksandar Vucic. Serbia, historically close to Russia, has refused to join Western sanctions on Moscow but has provided non-military aid to Ukraine. The visit comes as Russia intensifies strikes on Kyiv, killing at least three people, including a three-year-old child. Zelenskyy said talks would cover economic ties, EU relations and security. Vucic reiterated he would not change his position on sanctions.
Russia has accused Serbian firms of selling munitions to Ukraine, a claim Vucic has repeatedly denied. A senior Ukrainian official described the visit as a slap in the face for the Russians. Zelenskyy has not visited Serbia since becoming president in 2019.
The Indian Opinion
The visit is being spun as a diplomatic win for Ukraine, but Vucic has made clear he will not bend on sanctions. Serbia walks a tightrope: it needs Russian gas and has historical ties with Moscow, yet it craves EU membership. The real test will come when Brussels demands concrete alignment, such as joining sanctions or signing declarations condemning Russia. Will Vucic eventually yield, or will he keep balancing as the war drags on?
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
