August 9, 2026 | 03:07 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As Russia continues its relentless bombardment of Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making his first visit to Serbia, a European country that has maintained friendly relations with Russia despite the latter's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to DW, Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade Friday evening and had dinner with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic. They met again for talks at the presidential palace on Saturday.
Later, Zelenskyy wrote on X that he and Vucic had discussed ways to strengthen infrastructure in both countries, including ports and railways, as well as economic development, reconstruction, and job creation in Ukraine and Serbia.
Representatives from both countries signed a memorandum of understanding regarding agricultural and food safety cooperation.
Zelenskyy added that the leaders also discussed the challenges of the upcoming winter in Ukraine, heavily hit by Russian attacks on energy facilities, and relations with the European Union. He also thanked Vucic for a new package of humanitarian support for Ukraine.
Serbia supports Ukraine's territorial integrity
Vucic said that Serbia will continue to support Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, including the territories that Russia has seized since 2014.
"You have never heard a single bad word about our country, not from Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor anyone else in Ukraine, and I am extremely grateful to our Ukrainian friends for that," Vucic said.
The remark appeared to address the fact that Ukraine refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence, which was declared in 2008. Belgrade considers Kosovo to be part of Serbia.
Vucic said he was skeptical that either Serbia or Ukraine would quickly join the European Union. However, he added that Belgrade would support Kyiv's bid.
Serbia has repeatedly refused to put sanctions on Moscow. This has angered the EU and delayed Belgrade's path to joining the bloc.
Both leaders also said their countries want to improve economic cooperation and finalize a free trade agreement by the end of the year.
Despite its dependence on Russian energy, Serbia has supplied nonmilitary aid to Ukraine. The Kremlin has accused Serbian firms of selling munitions to Ukraine, but Vucic has denied this claim.
Vucic traveled to Ukraine for a regional summit in 2025 and again this year. Despite pledging aid to Ukraine, he has refrained from signing a formal declaration of support for Ukraine in the war.
Russian attacks on Kyiv continue while Kyiv strikes Russian refineries
The meeting came after at least four people, including a child, were killed in overnight Russian air attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and the surrounding region, officials said on Saturday.
"Last night, Russia killed three people in Pukhivka, Kyiv region, with drone strikes," Zelenskyy wrote on X. He added that the victims were a grandfather, a grandmother and their 3-year-old grandson.
Authorities said three other members of the family and a neighbor who came to their aid were hospitalized.
At least one more person was killed in Kyiv in a strike involving six ballistic missiles against civilian infrastructure, according to Zelenskyy.
Ukraine's air force reported downing or intercepting 135 of the 151 drones that Russia launched overnight.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's General Staff announced that the military had attacked Russia's Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries overnight, resulting in fires at both locations.
Read: Will Russia Start a Fresh Mobilization Drive?
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