Zelensky, Vucic hold "open and frank" talks in Athens
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held an "open and frank" discussion on the sidelines of the informal summit of Western Balkan countries in Athens on August 22, according to Ukrainskaia Pravda.
"We had an open, frank, and productive conversation with Serbian President Vucic," Zelensky said. "A good conversation. About respect for the UN Charter and the inviolability of borders."
The two leaders also discussed the future of their two peoples "in a common European home" and the development of relations between Ukraine and Serbia, which they both said is a "common interest."
An open, honest, and fruitful meeting with the President of Serbia @AVucic.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 22, 2023
Good conversation on respect for the UN Charter and the inviolability of borders.
On our nations’ shared future in the common European home.
On developing our relations, that is in our mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/t7d9DdUH7M
This was the second meeting between Zelensky and Vucic since the start of the war in Ukraine. The first meeting took place on June 1 at the European Political Community Summit in Moldova.
Vucic is facing a difficult balancing act between Moscow and the West as Serbia seeks to join the European Union while also maintaining close ties with Russia. Serbia is heavily dependent on Russian gas supplies and has not imposed sanctions against Russia. However, Vucic has said that he does not support the participation of his countrymen in the war in Ukraine on the Russian side.
