Zelenskyy Wins Serbian Pledges as Russian Influence Wanes

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Or sign-in if you have an account.Volodymyr Zelenskyy Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg Photo by Jason Alden /Bloomberg(Bloomberg) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a landmark first visit on Saturday to Serbia to expand cooperation with the Balkan country whose leader has been scaling back once-close ties with Russia.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountSerbia and Ukraine will work together on the common goal of joining the European Union, and intend to finalize a mutual free trade agreement by the end of the year, Zelenskyy and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic told reporters in Belgrade after their meeting. Vucic’s government also pledged more humanitarian aid, infrastructure and energy equipment for Ukraine. “Our cooperation is expanding and will become much bigger,” said Vucic, who offered his country’s help in rebuilding Ukrainian cities damaged during the Russian invasion that’s now well into its fifth year. Still, Serbia’s leader said he was skeptical that either state may be offered to join the EU soon.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“I wish Ukraine every success, but this is not just a merit-based process,” Vucic said in reference to expansion of the 27-nation bloc that hasn’t taken in new members since 2013.Vucic had been an ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin for years before relations soured after Russia launched its war with Ukraine. While Serbia hasn’t joined sanctions against Moscow, it has condemned the war and reduced Russia’s economic influence over the country. In turn, Russia has accused Belgrade of backstabbing it by helping to arm Ukraine.Vucic has tried to maintain his trademark geopolitical balancing act, given Serbia’s continued structural dependence on gas imports from Russia. Still, he’s urged Gazprom Neft PJSC to sell back its majority stake in the NIS AD refiner to Serbia or to third-party investors as the nation’s fuel market depends on the company whose business is hampered by US sanctions.“Zelenskyy’s arrival in Belgrade this Saturday would have been unthinkable only a few years ago,” said Vuk Velebit, president of the Pupin Initiative, which aims to foster Serbian-US relations. “This is not a courtesy call. It’s a confirmation that the relationship between Serbia and Ukraine has quietly entered a new phase.” Serbia’s trade with Russia has decreased amid unprecedented international sanctions on Moscow over the war. That’s also had an impact on Belgrade’s army, which once depended on Soviet-era equipment and has been forced to switch to Western-made kit. Russian MIG fighter jets in Serbia’s air force will be gradually replaced by French Rafales under a 2024 deal with Dassault Aviation SA.At the same time, Vucic has sought closer ties with US President Donald Trump and his family. A “strategic dialog” between Serbia and the US also began last month.The Serbian president has domestic political reasons not to demonstrate his distancing from Moscow too openly, though, since many of his voters cherish the country’s centuries-old ties with Russia. Those feelings were cemented in the 1990s when Serbia was under Western sanctions during Yugoslavia’s bloody breakup, and even more so in 1999 when NATO bombed Serbia to force its troops out of Kosovo. This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Ukraine is among that European countries that haven’t recognized Kosovo as a country and will keep the position on principle of “respect for everybody’s territorial integrity,” Zelenskyy said. Vucic reciprocated by saying the same applies to Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. The balancing act is likely to continue as Vucic seeks a return to being prime minister as his presidential term ends next year. He’s said he’ll lead his center-right Progressive Party to early elections later this year.“Serbia’s foreign policy is steadily aligning with the West,” Velebit said. “Quietly but unmistakably, whether or not Belgrade is yet willing to say so out loud.” (Updates lede, adds comments from second paragraph)Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. 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