Vucic confirms absence from BRICS summit

“I had a good discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We talked about the gas arrangement, I expect we will soon begin negotiations for a long-term deal with Russia for an additional three million cubic meters of gas. The prices are very favorable, they have been fair with us,” said Vucic.

“When I got the invitation, I explained that I already had a meeting scheduled with (Polish Prime Minister) Donald Tusk, he accepted and he is coming. I also have a trilateral meeting with (Slovak Prime Minister) Robert Fico and (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban. So, Tusk is coming, and he is being joined by (Greek Prime Minister) Kyriakos Mitsotakis. (European Commission President) Ursula von der Leyen is also visiting. I respect Putin, and I told him that even without these commitments, it would have been difficult for me to attend. I believe you understand Serbia’s position. Serbia remains the only country that has not signed any declarations against Russia, and he greatly appreciates that. I told him we will be sending a delegation of four ministers: Aleksandar Vulin, Bratislav Gasic, Nenad Popovic, and Economy Minister Adriana Mesarovic,” Vucic told the Serbian state TV (RTS).

Vucic earlier said that he received Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation in August.

“We have important foreign guests at that time, but I won’t go into details yet. We have many important visits and meetings, and we will talk about this around October 10,” Vucic said in early September.

A day later, Vucic told Serbian media that Putin would have to wait for a decision, potentially longer than expected.

“We will decide on this between October 10 and 15, but not before,” said Vucic.

Russian media reported Monday that Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin will attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, as President Vucic has prior international commitments that could not be rescheduled.

“The two presidents spoke by phone yesterday. It was agreed that Serbia would be represented by the Deputy Prime Minister, who is directly involved in bilateral Serbian-Russian relations and BRICS matters. President Vucic has other previously planned international engagements that were difficult to postpone,” RIA Novosti quoted Ushakov as saying.

This year’s BRICS summit marks the first participation of new member countries, including Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, alongside founding members Brazil, India, China, Russia, and South Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be in attendance, with the summit’s theme focused on “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”