Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced last night that he had spoken privately with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and thanked him for financial and humanitarian assistance, including support for the energy sector, and for his initiative to take over the patronage of the reconstruction of several Ukrainian settlements.
During a private meeting, held on the sidelines of the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odessa, Vučić confirmed Serbia's firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, according to a statement published on the Ukrainian president's website.
The leaders discussed Ukraine's and Serbia's paths towards integration into the European Union and bilateral cooperation, it said.
Zelensky called on Serbia to join the reconstruction of Ukraine and to participate in the conference on the recovery of Ukraine, which will be held on July 10 and 11 in Rome, it added.
Vučić previously wrote on Instagram that he had "an important and open conversation with Zelensky on key issues of contemporary geopolitical challenges facing Europe and the entire world."
"We exchanged views on the importance of achieving long-term and sustainable peace, respect for international law, as well as the role of diplomacy in overcoming conflicts. We also discussed economic topics, as well as common goals in achieving the strongest possible cooperation in various social spheres as the foundation of all further progress," Vučić said.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon welcomed Vučić's participation in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit, stating that it can be interpreted as strong support for the Ukrainian leadership.
Vučić is the only participant in the Summit who did not sign the adopted declaration, because, as he told Serbian media, it calls for the introduction of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine.
He, however, said that Zelensky "showed respect for the territorial integrity of Serbia" because there were no representatives of Kosovo at the Summit, and added that it was a "great gesture" towards Serbia that it "will certainly appreciate."
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