Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made his first official visit to Ukraine on 11 June 2025 since taking office, attending the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa but refusing to sign the summit’s final declaration, which condemned Russian aggression and called for expanded sanctions.

Vučić meets Zelenskyy, reaffirms support for Ukraine’s sovereignty

According to the official website of the Ukrainian president, Vučić held a one-on-one meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where both leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and Serbia’s participation in Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy thanked Vučić for Serbia’s financial and humanitarian assistance and its initiative to help rebuild several Ukrainian settlements.

Vučić reportedly expressed gratitude for the summit and emphasized Serbia’s “firm support” for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. RFE/RL says he also welcomed Ukraine’s continued refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence, a long-standing concern for Belgrade.

Serbian president’s flight to Moscow on Victory Day blocked by Baltic states

Odesa declaration calls for stronger sanctions against Russia, NATO support of Ukraine

The Southeast Europe summit in Odesa followed previous meetings held in Athens, Tirana, and Dubrovnik. The event was attended by the leaders or other top officials of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.

Serbia’s president rejects “Ukrainian Maidan scenario” as anti-government protests escalate

The joint declaration issued by 11 countries at the summit explicitly condemned Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion” of Ukraine, urged the international community to impose further sanctions on Russia, and called for the creation of a special tribunal to investigate war crimes committed in Ukraine.

The declaration also voiced support for Ukraine’s NATO membership and emphasized the strategic importance of regional cooperation in energy, food security, demining, and cyber defense.

“A free, peaceful, and prosperous Europe is impossible without a free, peaceful, and prosperous Ukraine. The participants of the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Odesa Summit remain resolutely committed to this vision,” the declaration reads.

Vučić abstains from signing, citing national interests and Russia ties

Vučić declined to sign the declaration, saying the document was “against Russia” and emphasizing Serbia’s refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow. Speaking to Serbian journalists, he stated: “I did not betray Russia” and claimed there had been no excessive pressure on him to sign.

He added:

“Unlike them, who are ready to accept everything directed against Russia, everything they can,” the Serbian leader said, adding that he is “proud of Serbia’s policy” and its “autonomy and independence.“

Vučić noted that abstaining from the declaration was allegedly a way to protect Serbia’s interests, which he stated align with international law.

Serbian President: Serbia accidentally supported European resolution on Ukraine at the UN

Serbia’s balancing act between Russia and the EU

As reported by AP and Reuters, Vučić’s stance at the summit underscores his broader diplomatic strategy of balancing Serbia’s EU aspirations with long-standing ties to Russia. Serbia has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and remains heavily reliant on Russian energy. Gazprom and Gazprom Neft hold stakes in Serbia’s key oil infrastructure.

In his public remarks, Vučić repeated calls for “peace” and said Serbia would contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction, claiming that Belgrade “would like to rebuild one or two cities or a small region” in Ukraine.

The summit in Odesa occurred just weeks after Russia accused Serbia of covert arms exports to Ukraine—a claim Belgrade denies but has pledged to investigate.

Russia creates “axis of autocrats” in European states, Spiegel says