Latest news with #UkraineSummit
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Won't Betray Russia': Vucic Defends Neutral Stance, Rejects Arms Supply To Ukraine
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has firmly rejected accusations that his recent visit to Ukraine marked a betrayal of Serbia's longstanding friendship with Russia. During the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odessa, Vucic met with President Zelensky but refused to sign the final declaration condemning Russia and supporting Ukraine's NATO bid. He emphasized Serbia's commitment to neutrality and independent diplomacy, noting that he was the only leader at the summit to withhold endorsement. #aleksandarvucic #SerbiaRussia #UkraineSummit #geopolitics #SerbiaNeutral #ukraineconflict #ZelenskyVucic #BalkanDiplomacy Read More
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic makes first-ever visit to Ukraine
KYIV, June 11 (Reuters) - Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic travelled to the Ukrainian city of Odesa for a regional summit on Wednesday, the first time the Moscow-friendly leader has visited the country during his 12 years in power. In a statement, Vucic's office said he would travel to Ukraine for one day to take part in the Ukraine-Southeastern Europe Summit in the Black Sea port of Odesa, which this week faced a major Russian drone and missile attack. Senior politicians from 12 Southeastern European nations were expected to take part in the summit. Serbia wants to join the European Union, but Russia, a traditional Slavic and Orthodox Christian ally, remains its biggest gas supplier, and the country's sole oil refinery is majority-owned by Gazprom ( opens new tab and Gazprom Neft ( opens new tab. Although Belgrade has refused to join Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, it has condemned Moscow's policies in the United Nations and expressed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. Vucic has also previously met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at least three times. Belgrade recognises Ukraine in its entirety, including territories seized by Russia since 2014, while Kyiv refused to recognise the 2008 independence of Kosovo, Serbia's predominantly Albanian former southern province. In late May, the SVR, the Russian foreign intelligence service, accused Belgrade of "a stab in the back", alleging Serbia's defence manufacturers were selling ammunition and weapons to Ukraine via intermediaries. The only Serbian president to visit Ukraine since the Balkan country became independent in 2006 was Boris Tadic in 2011. Ukraine's previous president, Petro Poroshenko, visited Serbia in 2018.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Britain unveils 'firepower' package for Ukraine amid uncertainty over future of war
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Britain unveiled a new "firepower" package of drones, tanks and air defense systems for Kyiv on Wednesday at the start of a Ukraine Summit, which is under a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the besieged ally's fight against Russia with President Donald Trump now leading its largest backer. The package, valued at some $186 million, includes thousands of drones dozens of tanks and armored vehicles and air defense systems, lifting Britain's commitment this year to Ukraine to $5.6 billion. "While Russia is weakened, it remains undeniable dangerous," Defense Secretary John Healey of Britain said in a statement. We must step up further -- and secure peace through strength -- together." The package was announced as more than 50 allies and partners converged on Brussels for the 26th Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of nations that support Ukraine's defense against the Russia invasion. The meeting is being held at a time of uncertainty as Trump, the leader of the United States, which has been by far the largest backer of Ukraine, campaigned on isolationist agenda and has opening questioned sending support to Kyiv while being known for praising Putin. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in his opening remarks at the meeting, told military and diplomatic leaders that he did not believe that Ukraine gaining NATO membership would be a "realistic" outcome of negotiated peace settlement with Russia. Ukraine began the NATO ascension process beginning in at least 2008. NATO is a voluntary military defense pact, meaning Kyiv has sought membership, and has increasingly done so since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Hegseth on Wednesday was seemingly throwing water on that idea, suggesting that any alternative security guarantees for Ukraine "must be backed by capable European and non-European troops." He also said it would be an "unrealistic objective" to return Ukraine to is pre-204 borders. Following Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukrainian land. Trump on Wednesday also spoke with President Vladimir Putin about the possibility of peace talks, stating they should begin "immediately." Russia' foreign ministry confirmed the call, stating the two leaders discussed a "possible Ukraine settlement" with Putin telling Trump that "it was necessary to eliminate the root causes of the conflict." Putin claimed the reason for his inaction was to "denazify" and demilitarize Ukraine. He has also lashed out at Ukraine's voluntary effort to joint NATO.
