Zelensky plans Belgrade visit to challenge Serbia's Russian alignment
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to travel to Serbia on Aug 8, marking his first trip there since the war began, a senior official said.
According to a senior Ukrainian official, President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Serbia on Aug 8, his first official visit since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The trip is intended to sway Belgrade away from its traditionally pro-Moscow stance, with the source calling the mission a “slap in the face for the Russians.” Serbia has refrained from sanctioning Russia and continues to rely on Russian energy, while President Aleksandar Vucic recently met Vladimir Putin in Moscow, emphasizing strengthened cooperation and trade.
Although Serbia is formally seeking European Union accession, Brussels remains uneasy about its ongoing Russian partnership. Zelensky’s itinerary reflects Kyiv’s broader diplomatic campaign to isolate Russia and solidify support among European nations. The visit could test Serbia’s balancing act between its EU aspirations and its historic ties to Moscow.
Why it matters
The trip signals Ukraine’s push to weaken Russian influence in a key Balkan state that is courting EU membership.
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