The first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, arrived in Belgrade yesterday, in the first visit of a high-ranking Ukrainian official to Serbia since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022, which can also be read as a signal of Serbia's distance from Moscow, its traditional ally, reports Index.hr.
Together with her Serbian colleague, Tamara Vučić, and the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmitr Kuleba, who is also on his first visit to Belgrade, Zelenska toured the city and the medieval Kalemegdan fortress, reports the Tanjug news agency.
Zelenska and Vučić also visited the city bookstore in Belgrade, which houses the "Ukrainian shelf", part of the library with Ukrainian books, which was founded under the patronage of the first lady of Ukraine.
Russians are outraged in the comments
The news about Volodymyr Zelensky's wife's visit to Serbia was reported by almost all major Russian media. On the portal of the Russian state news agency "Ria Novosti", this news is the fourth most read text. Judging by the comments, the Russians are not thrilled.
"Shameful" and "This is disgusting, this is disgusting behavior of a 'friend' of Russia", are the two most popular comments.
In reactions to the text, readers write that Serbia has betrayed Russia, and they also attack Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. These are some of the comments on "Ria Novosti".
"Is anyone afraid of us except Lukashenka? Even Kyrgyzstan has turned around. Our foreign policy is somewhat weak."
"Read Dostoevsky. About 'brothers' who, if given the opportunity, will stab us in the back! Example - Bulgaria and Montenegro".
"Russia never had friends. There were only enemies".
"Who are the 'friends' we still have? Papuans from Polynesia? Or North Korea?"
"There was, of course, the hope that the Serbs and Hungarians would not participate in a new 'crusade' against Russia, but well... Whatever you say".
"No friends, no one can be trusted, China is off to a low start!"
"There is no more need to veto anti-Serb resolutions in the UN".
"Vučić was dancing around Si. Everyone is trying to sit on two chairs".
"Vučić, both ours and yours".
"Wolf, are you really spineless?"
"Serbs have started to forget who democratized them in 1999 and are starting to flatter themselves".
"This is a slap in the face of Russia".
"That's what they are, brothers".
Serbia condemned the invasion, refused sanctions
Due to traditional historical, religious, political and military ties, pro-Russian sentiment is widespread in Serbia. Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vučić is trying to achieve a balance between the country's bid for EU membership and ties with Russia and China, important partners and investors, writes Index.hr.
The new Serbian government includes Aleksandar Vulin, a pro-Russian deputy prime minister and former intelligence officer who is under US sanctions, and Nenad Popović, a minister without portfolio, also a supporter of Russia under US sanctions.
Serbia has repeatedly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the United Nations and other international forums, but has so far refused to join international sanctions against the Kremlin.
Vučić met with Zelenski three times
Vučić met with the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, three times in 2022 at international forums abroad, the last time at a regional meeting in Tirana in February.
Since 2022, Serbia has accepted thousands of Ukrainian refugees, sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and promised to help demining the country and post-war reconstruction, according to Index.hr.
Last year, classified documents leaked from the Pentagon showed that Serbia had agreed to supply Kiev with weapons and ammunition.
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