Russian, Serbian presidents discuss Ukraine, Middle East escalation

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić held a telephone conversation during which they discussed the situation around Ukraine and the recent escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

According to the Kremlin press service, the leaders “discussed in detail the situation around Ukraine and the current large-scale escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.”

The presidents also addressed cooperation in the energy, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors. They reviewed preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Russian-Serbian Intergovernmental Committee on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, scheduled for April.

Serbian President Vučić thanked President Putin for Russia’s continued stable supplies of natural gas to Serbia.

During the call, Vučić also shared his assessment of the situation in the Balkans. Both sides emphasised the fundamental importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 for resolving the Kosovo issue, as well as the need to ensure the rights of Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the Dayton Agreements.

The two leaders agreed to continue their contacts.