Updated
Updated · Kyiv Independent · Aug 6
Zelensky to Visit Serbia for First Time on Aug. 8 as Belgrade Balances Russia Ties
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Independent · Aug 6

Zelensky to Visit Serbia for First Time on Aug. 8 as Belgrade Balances Russia Ties

3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Independent · Aug 6

Summary

  • Aug. 8 will mark Volodymyr Zelensky's first-ever trip to Serbia, according to a senior Ukrainian official, in a visit framed as symbolically important for Kyiv.
  • Serbia has tried to balance between Moscow and the West since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion, while preserving historically close political and energy ties with Russia.
  • Aleksandar Vucic has recently edged closer to Kyiv: he visited Odesa in June 2025 and joined European leaders in Kyiv on July 15, though he stopped short of fully aligning with Ukraine's language on Russia.
  • That caution has also shown in arms allegations—reports said Serbia indirectly supplied weapons to Ukraine, which Vucic denied in May 2025 after Russia's SVR accused Belgrade's defense industry of betraying Moscow.

Insights

Why is Serbia rolling out the red carpet for Zelensky while still relying heavily on Russian energy?
Could a secret UAE-backed drone deal between Serbia and Ukraine finally shatter Belgrade's historic alliance with Moscow?
Will Serbia's delicate balancing act collapse as it reportedly funnels arms and drones to Ukraine's war effort?