In Belgrade, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić during his first official visit to the country.
The Head of State thanked Serbia for its hospitality and respect for Ukrainians who came to the country after the start of the war, as well as for its support for Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.
The President of Serbia emphasized that he and his country consistently adhere to the UN Charter and UN resolutions and respect the territorial integrity of all United Nations member states.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that the situation in Ukraine remains difficult. Overnight, Russia carried out another strike on energy and railway facilities and civilian enterprises using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones. All of Ukraine’s frontline communities also came under attack.
“Efforts to deal with the aftermath are still ongoing, and fires are being extinguished. Unfortunately, thirteen people were killed in these strikes across Ukraine in just 24 hours – from 9 a.m. yesterday to 9 a.m. today. My condolences to all the families and loved ones. Seventy-seven people were wounded across our regions – twelve regions came under attack,” the Head of State said.
The President of Ukraine thanked Serbia for a new package of humanitarian support in the medical and energy sectors and for its readiness to help rebuild one of the Ukrainian cities that has been severely affected by the war.
Special attention was paid to the challenges Ukraine will face this winter. The Head of State noted that all energy cooperation projects with partners are of great significance, and that it is important there are ways to strengthen energy cooperation between Ukraine and Serbia.
The meeting also focused on bilateral cooperation. The parties discussed measures that could strengthen infrastructure, ports, and railways, as well as the economies and security of both countries overall. In particular, Serbia is interested in Ukraine’s experience in developing railway infrastructure to improve its transport network. The leaders discussed specific projects that could be implemented jointly, as well as cooperation in the area of food security.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of accelerating the implementation of the agreement on a free trade area between Ukraine and Serbia. Work is underway to prepare everything necessary for concluding the relevant agreement by the end of this year. Aleksandar Vučić noted a significant increase in trade between the two countries compared with last year. Last year, trade between Ukraine and Serbia totaled $442.2 million, while in the first half of 2026 it has already reached $345.9 million.
In addition, the leaders discussed European integration. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine would be glad to see Serbia’s path toward the European Union accelerate. Aleksandar Vučić emphasized that Serbia supports Ukraine’s European path.
“All of us in Europe must cooperate with one another as productively as possible, on the basis of mutual respect and mutually beneficial relations. It is important that every nation in Europe receives clear signals from the European Union – a clear sense – that Europe needs that nation and that Europe cannot afford to lose anyone,” the President of Ukraine noted.
The leaders also discussed the diplomatic process and all opportunities that could help end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“It is important that people everywhere in the world know that we want a dignified peace – and this is true, this is a fact – and that every opportunity be used for the sake of peace and guaranteed security – every available opportunity, in Washington, in Beijing, in the capitals of Europe, in the capitals of our partners in the Middle East and the Gulf, and in every capital around the world that has influence on the relevant processes,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In the presence of the Presidents, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection and Serbia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in the areas of animal health, food safety, and certain food quality indicators. The document provides for cooperation to control, prevent, and eradicate animal diseases, as well as to protect national territories from the cross-border introduction of such infectious diseases.
