Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he will make a decision regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the BRICS summit, scheduled between October 10 and 15.
During his visit to the reconstruction works of a bridge in Karakaj, at the border point with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vucic told journalists that he does not want to accept or reject anything at this moment. “There is no doubt that it is an important invitation, as you have organized significant visits before,” Vucic said, adding that he cannot specify the nature of the visit but everyone will see its importance.
The Serbian leader added that he is proud of Serbia’s “independent” policy.
“Serbia is on the European path, but it has its own policy and will not give up its traditional friends, including China and Russia. We want to maintain these friendships while committing to a different future,” Vucic added.
The BRICS summit, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will be held from October 22 to 24 in the Russian city of Kazan.
Putin had invited Vucic and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin to attend the BRICS summit during the margins of the Eastern Economic Forum held on September 4 in Vladivostok.
In his first public response to the invitation, Vucic stated on September 5 that Serbia will have “important friends from abroad” at the BRICS summit.
Serbia is among the few European countries that refuse to join international sanctions against Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
