Vučić did not sign the declaration at the summit in Ukraine due to calls to impose sanctions on Moscow

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said today that he did not sign the declaration at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit because it calls for the introduction of sanctions against Russia over the war.

Saying that Serbia remained abstentionist, he added that no one "excessively pressured" him to sign, and that he could not do it against himself, his country, and the policies he leads.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed respect for Serbia's territorial integrity because there were no representatives from Pristina, Vučić told Serbian media in Odessa.

"It's a great gesture towards our country and Serbia will certainly appreciate it," he said. He stated that Serbia will donate school buses and food for schools in Ukraine.

"We talked with Ukraine about important issues, because we have to resolve the issues of our trade relations and free trade agreements through the World Trade Organization. And we started that in 2018, then stopped during the corona, then continued, then stopped because of the war. And now it is time to start working on providing better space for our companies in Ukraine and vice versa, simply so that it contributes to economic growth in both friendly countries," Vučić said.

He had brief bilateral meetings with the prime ministers of Greece, Bulgaria and Croatia and the presidents of Montenegro and Romania.

Vučić is at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit for the fourth time today, and visiting Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of the invasion.

The Meža portal reports that Vučić offered assistance in the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities, and Moldovan President Maja Sandu emphasized the importance of cooperation with Ukraine in the fight against Russian hybrid aggression and protecting citizens from propaganda.

Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali expressed support for Ukraine's efforts towards European integration and stressed the importance of a just peace, while Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon stressed the need for a complete ceasefire and accountability.

"For us, the top priority is a complete and unconditional ceasefire. And we will continue to work together with all our partners in Europe and around the world to achieve a peace based on the UN Charter and acceptable to Ukraine," Fajon added.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proposed the creation of a transport corridor connecting the Greek port of Alexandroupolis with Odessa via Varna and Constanta, with possible EU funding.

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović supported the idea of ​​an immediate ceasefire as the first step towards lasting peace.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said that Ukraine's European perspective must be tangible, not unattainable, and announced strong support for Ukraine in opening the first group of chapters in EU membership negotiations, Hina reported.

The Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit has become an important platform for strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the Balkan countries, writes Meža.

The last, third summit was held in October 2024 in Dubrovnik, where the Dubrovnik Declaration was adopted.

Previously, summits were held in Athens and Tirana.