Serbian support for Ukraine's territorial integrity has "no 'but's"

Serbia and Ukraine have pledged to finalise a long-delayed free trade agreement by the end of the year as Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić hosted his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for the first time.

The commitment came on the final day of Zelenskyy’s two-day visit, which ended on August 8. The Ukrainian president returned home with progress on economic ties as well as the voiced support from Vučić for Ukraine’s territorial integrity — a significant message given the complex geopolitical climate in which the two countries find themselves.

The two leaders have met several times previously, most recently in Kyiv on July 15, but this was Zelenskyy’s first visit to Serbia, a traditional Russian ally with close historical, cultural and economic links to Moscow.

Serbia has not joined the broad sanctions regime imposed on Russia by many European countries, making Vučić’s reaffirmation of support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity particularly notable.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Zelenskyy, Vučić said Serbia remained committed to the principles of the UN Charter.

“This means the territorial integrity of all UN members, which means the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Vučić said. “From our side, we will continue this principled policy — there are no ‘buts’ in this matter. I say this very clearly and decisively now, just as I have said it before.”

Mutual gains

The Serbian president also said his government would support Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Serbia itself has been an official EU candidate since 2012.

Ukraine, meanwhile, has not recognised Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence, while Serbia continues to regard Kosovo as part of its territory.

“You have never heard a single bad word about our country, neither from Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor anyone else [in Ukraine], and I am extremely grateful to our Ukrainian friends for that,” Vučić told reporters.

“Our cooperation is expanding and will become much bigger,” he said on August 8, adding that Serbia would also help rebuild Ukrainian cities damaged by the war.

The proposed free trade agreement has been under discussion for more than two decades, with both countries now aiming to conclude it by the end of the year. The deal is important to Serbia’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization and is also considered a prerequisite for its EU membership. Ukraine has blocked an agreement since 2005 over disagreements concerning agricultural quotas and tariffs.

The Serbian president had announced earlier this summer that he would resign "within a few weeks" and that parliamentary elections are expected to be held in October or November, while a presidential election could follow in December or February next year.

By Nazrin Sadigova