Serbian president meets Putin, says position on Kosovo stronger

Vucic first met with Russian head of state Vladimir Putin. According to earlier statements, Kosovo was the main topic of discussion. That meeting was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Serbian Ministers Rasim Ljajic, Zorana Mihajlovic and Aleksandar Antic.  

A press release from the Kremlin said that they discussed bilateral and regional issues. The Serbian president is quoted as thanking Putin for Moscow’s support to Belgrade in preserving the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.  

Putin told Vucic that his visit to Belgrade early this year contributed to promoting bilateral relations. “We are developing relations in sensitive areas such as military-technical and military cooperation,” the Russian president is quoted as saying.

  Speaking to reporters after the meeting with Putin, Vucic said that the Russian president said he would help and support Serbia “and would not allow anyone to touch it in any way or attack our country and people in any other not just political way”.  

He said that Putin was “surprised that the Kosovo Albanians tried to ban the Serb List from taking part in the elections”. Vucic added that Putin said he can’t see what Pristina’s goal is.  

“I am surprised by new statements and demands every day and I can’t say I’m not afraid about what could happen in Berlin and I’m not looking forward to seeing the people from Pristina, nor do I have hope that a compromise is possible,” the Serbian president said, adding that the Serbian delegation will be completely alone in Berlin because everyone who will be there has recognized Kosovo.  

He said that Serbia strengthened its position following his meetings with the presidents of Russia and China as “a rational, realistic, responsible and serious approach to solving the Kosovo problem”.

Vucic later met with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.  

The Serbian president is heading a delegation of cabinet ministers to the Belt and Road Forum in the Chinese capital.