Vucic: A major gesture by Ukraine in respecting the UN Charter, Summit held without representatives of Pristina

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic expressed his gratitude to Ukraine, the host of the Southeast Europe–Ukraine Summit, for fully respecting the UN Charter and for the absence of representatives from Pristina at the event.

“I am grateful to our hosts, Ukraine, for fully respecting the UN Charter and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and for the fact that there were no representatives of Pristina at this summit,” Vucic told reporters.

He emphasized that this was a major gesture toward Serbia.

“This is a significant gesture toward our country, and Serbia will know how to appreciate it,” Vucic stressed.

He noted that the message regarding territorial integrity was very important.

Vucic shared that the Declaration adopted at the summit was not easy for Serbia, which is why he chose to remain neutral, and Serbia is therefore not among the signatories.

He added that he had very successful meetings in Odesa.

“This is the fourth time I’m attending the Southeast Europe–Ukraine Summit and the first time on Ukrainian soil,” said Vucic.

Before his bilateral meeting with Zelensky, Vucic noted that they had already held a lengthy conversation over lunch.

“We had both an open and a closed session for discussions. I spoke with everyone else as well. I also had brief bilaterals with the Prime Ministers of Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro, as well as with the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the Romanian President,” Vucic said.

He highlighted that the talks were truly good, open, and friendly.

“We discussed important issues with Ukraine, especially regarding trade relations and a free trade agreement, which we are trying to resolve through the World Trade Organization. We started in 2018, then paused due to the pandemic, then resumed, and then stopped again due to the war. Now is the time to move forward so that we can create better conditions for our companies in Ukraine and vice versa, contributing to economic growth in both friendly countries,” Vucic stated.

"How Did I Betray Russia, When I Once Again Didn’t Sign the Declaration?"

When a journalist noted that some media outlets were claiming Vucic had "betrayed Russia" by attending the summit in Ukraine, he asked how that could be the case when Serbia again did not sign the Declaration and remained neutral.

“And whom exactly did I betray? Russia? How? By attending the summit? This is my fourth time participating in the Southeast Europe–Ukraine Summit, and once again I am the only one who didn’t accept the Declaration. Unlike those who would accept anything against Russia, whatever they can,” Vucic said.

He added that he consistently defends the principles of international law, always guided by Serbia’s national interests.

“I am proud of Serbia’s policy, our independence, our sovereignty—and we will continue on that path,” the president declared.

He acknowledged that there are many in Serbia who respond emotionally against Ukraine and asked what Ukraine had done wrong, or what it had done against Serbia.

“Ukraine is a country that did not invite representatives of Pristina here. Should we not say thank you for that? I believe we should. What is there to criticize in that regard? They allowed me to be here, to remain neutral, not to sign, and for Serbia not to be a signatory to the declaration. What more is being asked—of Ukraine, and of us? What exactly do some people want from Serbia’s policy? I believe this is the pinnacle that a small country can achieve in conducting an independent and sovereign foreign policy. I am proud of that,” Vucic concluded.

The World at a Crossroads—Dialogue and Peace as Preconditions for Resolving All Other Issues

In his address at the Summit, Vucic emphasized the growing need for intensified dialogue and the rapid attainment of peace as prerequisites for resolving all other outstanding issues.

“I pointed out that the world is at a historic crossroads and that it is up to us to decide what kind of future we will create for the generations to come. I strongly advocated for the voice of diplomacy to be heard more loudly so that we can better understand one another,” the Serbian president added.