Serbia promises more aid to Ukraine, but refuses to increase pressure on Russia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced in Kyiv on Wednesday that Serbia would send additional humanitarian aid to Ukraine, while refusing to join a regional call for increased military support for Kyiv and more pressure on Russia.

Vučić met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the South-Eastern Europe–Ukraine summit. This was the first visit by a Serbian head of state to Kyiv in over ten years and his second participation in the summit, following last year's meeting in Odessa.

Despite this symbolic visit, Belgrade continues to maintain a balancing act. Serbia, which has close historical ties with Moscow, has consistently refused to join Western sanctions against Russia since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. However, it has repeatedly condemned the Russian offensive at the UN and reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

This new humanitarian initiative illustrates Belgrade's desire to preserve its relations with Kyiv while avoiding a break with Moscow. Aleksandar Vučić, who has spoken several times with Volodymyr Zelensky in recent years, is thus pursuing a diplomatic policy aimed at appeasing both sides in a particularly tense regional context.

This visit also comes as the Serbian president faces significant domestic dissent, with ongoing anti-government protests across the country putting increasing pressure on his foreign policy and East-West balance.