Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Ukraine in the midst of the war is important and it is a pity that it did not happen earlier, Marko Savković, senior advisor at the Center for International and Security Affairs (ISAC Fund), told "Vijesti".
"However, it may not have been realistic to expect it if we take into account the relationship that Belgrade (seeks to) have with Moscow," says Savković.
The Serbian president visited Ukraine on Wednesday for the first time during his 12 years in power.
He was participating in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in the Black Sea port of Odessa, which was the target of a major Russian drone and missile attack this week.
The summit was attended by high-ranking officials from 11 Southeast European countries and was hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Vučić, who has previously met with Zelensky at least three times, said at the rally that Serbia can help Kiev rebuild war-torn areas of Ukraine.
Vučić's electorate absolutely expects the best possible relations with Moscow to be maintained.
He said that he refrained from signing a joint declaration condemning Russian aggression, which reflects Serbia's desire to maintain good relations with both Kiev and Moscow.
"By protecting our interests, I am partially protecting both Russian and Ukrainian interests. Because we are protecting the interests of international public law," Vučić told Serbian journalists.
Asked whether the visit could be considered a step towards the West or whether it was just a diplomatic balancing tactic, Savković said:
"I do not consider this a step towards the West - and I agree that it is a continuation of the balancing policy, which is perhaps the most scrutinized when it comes to relations with Ukraine."
Commenting on Vučić's offer for Serbia to participate in the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities, Savković assessed that the move was good, but also late, considering that the war has been going on for three and a half years.
"Serbia's participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine would not harm anyone, and I am even more surprised that a similar message has not been sent earlier," Savković pointed out. He recalled that Serbia, through its ambassador, had offered assistance in the reconstruction of energy infrastructure.
When asked how realistic Vučić's claim that he "did not betray Russia" is and how this visit will be perceived in Moscow, Savković points out: "I think they in Russia know that 'betraying Moscow' would also be a betrayal of those who vote for him."
He added that Vučić's electorate absolutely expects the best possible relations with Moscow to be maintained.
"And what do you think about the specific actions that harm Russia - the export of ammunition for the needs of the Ukrainian army - Moscow recently announced through a statement from its foreign intelligence service," Savković said.
In late May, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Serbia of “trying to shoot Russia in the back,” claiming that Serbian arms manufacturers were supplying ammunition and weapons to Ukraine through intermediaries.
"By choosing the authors of the statement, they clearly let Belgrade know that they know how and what is arriving in Ukraine from Serbian factories, and it is pointless to refer to the fact that the final destination is not Ukraine," Savković believes.
According to a confidential Pentagon document leaked online, Serbia agreed to send weapons to Ukraine in 2023, despite its official stance of military neutrality. Moscow has repeatedly criticized Belgrade over the issue. Serbia has denied ever supplying weapons to Ukraine, but has admitted to selling weapons to other buyers around the world.
Even if it is fully aligned with EU foreign policy in the context of Ukraine, Kosovo remains a major, unresolved problem that will inevitably further slow down Serbia.
Responding to a journalist's question about his comment on claims that he "betrayed Russia", Vučić said: "And what and who did I betray? Russia? With what? By coming to the summit, this is my fourth time at the Southeast Europe and Ukraine summit and again I am the only one who did not accept the declaration," said the Serbian leader.
Savković answered negatively when asked whether Vučić's failure to sign the declaration could have a long-term impact on Serbia's European path, given the pressures from the European Union regarding foreign policy harmonisation.
"It cannot influence, because Serbia is not progressing towards the EU - more than three years have passed since the opening of the first of six clusters, and even though it is fully aligned with the EU's foreign policy in the context of Ukraine, Kosovo remains a major, unresolved problem that will inevitably further slow down Serbia," he concluded.
The European Commission (EC) welcomed Vučić's visit to Ukraine, calling it an "important signal".
"The EU encourages the accession countries to be united with us in our policy towards Russian aggression against Ukraine," said EC spokesman Markus Lammert.
The declaration adopted at the Odessa summit on Wednesday supports Ukraine's efforts to find a diplomatic path to a just and lasting peace. The participating countries called on the international community to intensify support for Ukraine "in its struggle to defend its freedom, independence and territorial integrity" and to strengthen sanctions imposed on Russia in the banking and energy sectors.
All states are called upon “to refrain from providing any material or other assistance to Russia’s war effort.”
“Russia must be held accountable and pay full compensation for the illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Russian property in all possible forms plays a constructive role in the recovery of Ukraine in accordance with the provisions of international law,” the document, signed by officials from Ukraine, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova, states.
The declaration “strongly condemns Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine,” which it says represents “a grave crime against the Ukrainian people, a clear violation of international law, and a serious threat to peace, security, and stability, across the wider European continent and globally.”
Vučić said that "no one pressured him excessively" to sign the declaration and added that he "couldn't do it against himself, his country and the policy he leads", which includes not imposing sanctions on Russia and respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, that is, not recognizing the occupation of Ukrainian territories.
Vučić, among other things, 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."
Official Belgrade recognizes the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including the territories occupied by Russia since 2014, while Kiev has not recognized Kosovo's independence.
Bonus video:
