Vulin tells Russian media Zelenskyy's Serbia visit is result of EU pressure

Vulin, founder of the Movement of Socialists, made the remarks in an interview with Russia's RIA Novosti as Zelenskyy began his first official visit to Serbia.

“Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit is not the wish of Serbian citizens, nor is it a need of Serbia's leadership. His arrival is the result of EU pressure and revenge because Serbia was the only country in Kyiv that did not sign the anti-Russian declaration, as demanded by the EU,” Vulin told RIA Novosti.

Vulin was referring to the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit held in Kyiv in July, which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended without signing the joint declaration.

Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia on Friday for his first official visit to the country. He and Vucic are holding talks at the Palace of Serbia on Saturday, followed by a meeting of the two countries' delegations.

Vulin: Serbia will not join an “anti-Russian coalition”

Vulin's comments contrasted with Vucic's public message ahead of the Ukrainian president's visit.

Vucic wrote on Instagram on Friday that he was “convinced that this visit will contribute to the further development of relations between Serbia and Ukraine and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.”

Vulin, however, told RIA Novosti that Serbia should use the visit to reiterate its positions regarding Russia.

He said Serbia could “once again clearly tell Kyiv that it is not Montenegro,” that it would not introduce visas for Russian citizens, join what he called an “anti-Russian coalition and hysteria,” or impose sanctions on Russia.

Vulin also said that Ukraine's refusal to recognise Kosovo does not oblige Serbia to “take Ukraine's side.”

Vulin addresses Serbian ammunition reaching Ukraine

The former deputy prime minister also addressed the long-running controversy over Serbian-made ammunition potentially reaching Ukraine through third countries.

“Serbia will not sell a single bullet to Ukraine, nor to any other country that could hand Serbian ammunition over to the enemies of our Russian brothers,” Vulin said.

The issue has repeatedly surfaced since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters reported in April 2023 that a leaked classified Pentagon document indicated Serbia had allegedly agreed to supply arms to Ukraine or had already done so.

In a June 2023 interview with the Financial Times, Vucic said he was aware that Serbian ammunition could indirectly reach Ukraine. He said Serbia was acting in accordance with its policy of military neutrality and selling weapons to permitted end users under legal contracts, while acknowledging the possibility of subsequent re-export.

The Financial Times later reported estimates that Serbian ammunition worth around €800 million had reached Ukraine indirectly through third countries since the start of the Russian invasion.

In May 2025, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Serbian defence companies of continuing to supply ammunition to Ukraine. Serbia said it would investigate the allegations.