- Serbian president thanks Russia for gas supplies, support for sovereignty amid calls to revive economic partnership
MOSCOW
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Kremlin on Friday, where they underscored close energy cooperation and shared wartime legacy.
Putin reiterated that Russia remains the key guarantor of Serbia’s energy security and noted that the Russian energy company, Gazprom, continues to deliver natural gas to Serbia without interruption, even exceeding agreed volumes at Belgrade’s request.
The Russian president also called for efforts to revitalize bilateral trade, saying the decline in economic cooperation should be addressed immediately.
He urged the appointment of a Serbian co-chair to an intergovernmental commission to help steer future steps.
“We know that there were attempts to prevent your visit and certain logistical difficulties were created, but you came, and we appreciate it greatly,” Putin told Vucic, stressing Serbia’s “sovereign and independent course.”
Vucic emphasized the strategic importance of Russian gas for Serbia’s energy needs, calling the supply deal crucial and beneficial.
“This is a matter of vital importance for our country,” he said, expressing gratitude for the favorable terms.
He thanked Putin for consistently supporting Serbia’s territorial integrity and said he hoped to welcome the Russian leader to Belgrade in the future.
Vucic arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to attend the WWII commemoration and lauded the wartime alliance between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.
