Zelensky Lands in Serbia for Talks With Vucic as Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Serbia for the first time since taking office, holding talks with President Alexander Vucic as Kyiv continues its efforts to strengthen international support amid an escalation in Russian attacks.

Zelensky was due to meet Vucic at the presidential palace on Saturday after spending Friday evening with the Serbian leader at a dinner ahead of the official discussions.

The visit is notable because Serbia remains closely aligned with Russia and has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow despite pressure from the European Union.

The talks come against the backdrop of a worsening military situation. Overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region killed at least three people and wounded seven, according to Ukrainian officials.

The latest attacks came as peace efforts remain at a standstill more than four years after Russia launched its large-scale invasion.

Both Russia and Ukraine have increasingly relied on long-range strikes, with civilians bearing much of the impact.

Zelensky Seeks Support From Moscow Ally

Zelensky’s trip to Serbia is part of his broader international campaign to secure political and practical support for Ukraine.

A senior Ukrainian official described the visit to Moscow’s traditional ally as “a slap in the face for the Russians”.

Serbia has maintained close historical ties with Russia, while Vucic has repeatedly refused to impose sanctions on Moscow.

That position has caused friction with Brussels and slowed Serbia’s progress towards European Union membership.

Ahead of his meeting with Vucic, Zelensky said the two countries would discuss economic cooperation, Serbia’s relationship with the EU and security matters.

“We will discuss expanding economic ties between our countries, relations with the European Union, other areas that can benefit our nations, and security issues,” Zelensky said on X.

The presidents were also scheduled to address journalists after their talks.

Zelensky has travelled widely since Russia’s 2022 invasion in an effort to build international backing for Kyiv, but Saturday’s visit marked his first official trip to Serbia since he became president in 2019.

While Serbia relies heavily on Russian gas and Vucic remains one of the few European leaders who still visit Moscow, Belgrade has provided non-military assistance to Ukraine.

Moscow has alleged that Serbian companies have supplied ammunition to Ukraine, but Vucic has repeatedly denied the accusation.

The Serbian leader visited Ukraine for a regional summit in 2025 and travelled to Kyiv again this year. Although he has promised to assist Ukraine, he has not signed a formal declaration backing Kyiv in the war.

Russia Steps Up Strikes on Kyiv

Russia has significantly increased its attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, often launching short but intense barrages of ballistic missiles that are difficult for Ukrainian air defences to intercept.

Kyiv has appealed for more US-made Patriot interceptors as it seeks to strengthen protection against the attacks.

Ukraine has responded with an increasing number of drone strikes against Russia, reaching record levels in recent months.

The latest Russian strikes demonstrated the continuing danger facing civilians.

Three people, including a child, were killed in the Brovary district northeast of Kyiv, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration.

Tkachenko said debris from the attacks damaged homes and vehicles and caused a fire in a non-residential building.

Three people were wounded in the area, while another four sustained injuries in Kyiv.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service released photographs of a damaged building on fire and reported that an attack on Pukhivka village destroyed a two-storey house and two cars. The strike also sparked a fire at a warehouse.

An AFP journalist in Kyiv heard roughly a dozen explosions as Ukraine’s air force issued a warning about the “threat of ballistic weapon use from the north”.

Zelensky’s meeting with Vucic therefore takes place at a sensitive moment, with Kyiv seeking broader diplomatic support while Serbia continues to balance its ties with Russia against its ambitions for closer relations with the European Union.

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