Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Belgrade ahead of his first official visit to Serbia, with talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić scheduled for Saturday.
Zelenskyy was welcomed at Nikola Tesla Airport by Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, her office said.
The minister welcomed the Ukrainian president to Belgrade ahead of his official visit, according to the statement.
Zelenskyy is expected to meet with Vučić on Saturday for talks that are likely to focus on bilateral relations, economic and energy cooperation, Serbia and Ukraine’s European integration paths, and the war in Ukraine.
The visit comes as Belgrade continues to balance its traditionally close relations with Moscow with its stated commitment to European Union membership. Serbia has refused to join EU sanctions against Russia, while maintaining contacts with Kyiv and providing humanitarian and other forms of assistance to Ukraine.
The visit is also being closely watched because of growing reports of potential defense and industrial cooperation between Serbia and Ukraine, including discussions about possible joint drone production.
