Latest news with #Ukraine–SoutheastEuropeSummit
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
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vucic offers to help rebuild Ukrainian cities, reaffirms support for Ukraine's territorial integrity
During his visit to Ukraine on June 11, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said his country is ready to help rebuild one or two Ukrainian cities or regions. The one-day trip marked the Moscow-friendly Serbian leader's first official visit to Ukraine and a significant moment in his efforts to maintain a neutral stance in Russia's war against Ukraine while also advancing Serbia's EU accession aspirations. Speaking at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, Vucic said Serbia wants to go beyond political declarations and provide practical assistance to Ukraine. "I would like to take one or two cities or regions that we could rebuild. I think that would be very clear and noticeable to the Ukrainian people," he said. "We are ready to listen to you and see how we can help you." Vucic also reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to international law and the UN Charter, saying that this includes supporting the territorial integrity of states — a message the president described as important for Kyiv. "Ukraine can always count on Serbia's humanitarian and political support for its territorial integrity," he said. "We could be supportive in efforts to achieve a ceasefire." Vucic was one of the few European leaders to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9 — a move that drew criticism from EU officials. Serbian president also told reporters that he did not sign the declaration of the Odesa summit, adding that by doing so, he "did not betray Russia." Tensions between Belgrade and Moscow have risen in recent months after Russia's intelligence services accused Serbian defense firms on May 29 of indirectly supplying weapons to Ukraine. Vucic has denied those claims. Read also: Zelensky urges 'stronger' EU sanctions on Russia, lower oil price cap We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Participants of Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit support Kyiv's path to NATO
Participants of the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit, held in Odesa on Wednesday 11 June, have confirmed their support for the European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Kyiv and other countries in the region. Source: the summit declaration released by the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: The leaders of Ukraine and Southeast European states agreed that "NATO membership remains the best cost-effective security option for Ukraine". "We reaffirmed our support to the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of partners of the region. We support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership," the declaration reads. The summit participants also stated that neither Russia nor any other non-NATO state "has the right to veto the Alliance's enlargement". "In the same vein, we fully support Ukraine's right to choose its own security arrangements and decide its own future, free from outside interference," they added. Background: The fourth Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa has been attended in person by the leaders of Greece, Croatia and Montenegro, as well as President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, marking his first visit to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Serbian president says his country ready to take on reconstruction of one or two Ukrainian cities or regions
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that his country is ready to participate in the reconstruction of one or two Ukrainian regions. Source: Vučić at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa, as reported by European Pravda Details: During his speech, Vučić said that Serbia would remain committed to international law and the UN Charter in the context of supporting the territorial integrity of states, and this stance could be beneficial for Ukraine. "I can imagine that Ukrainian citizens are fed up with words about support and assistance to Ukraine," Vučić stated. He also said that Serbia might have been "helpful" in efforts to achieve a ceasefire but now wished to contribute in a more practical way. "I would like to take one or two cities or regions that we could help rebuild. I think this would be very clear and visible to the Ukrainian people, so they could receive concrete support," Vučić stated. He also emphasised that Ukraine can "always count" on Serbia's humanitarian aid and political support for its territorial integrity. "We are ready to listen to you and see how we can assist you," said the Serbian president. Background: This is Serbian President Vučić's first visit to Ukraine. Vučić follows pro-Russian policy, with Serbia remaining the only European country that has not imposed sanctions against Russia, despite pressure from the EU. Vučić justifies this by citing potential economic losses and domestic political considerations. Vučić, along with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, were the only European leaders to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on 9 May. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 – ed.] Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Zelenskyy on EU's 18th sanctions package: It can be stronger
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the European Union to adopt tougher sanctions against Russia, commenting on the proposed 18th sanctions package. Source: Zelenskyy at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa on Wednesday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy said the 18th sanctions package against Russia "can be stronger, especially in terms of measures targeting Russian oil tankers and its financial sector". Quote: "A cap of 45 dollars per barrel is better than 60, that is clear, that is true. But real peace will come with a cap of 30 dollars. That is the level that will truly change minds in Moscow." Background: The draft of the EU's 18th package of sanctions against Russia includes a proposal to reduce the price cap on Russian oil from 60 to 45 dollars per barrel. Ukraine called on the European Union to lower the price cap on Russian oil to 30 dollars per barrel. The European Union acknowledged that even if the United States does not agree to a further reduction of the oil price cap, the EU can still implement such a measure on its own. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
