Ukraine’s First Lady and Foreign Minister Travel to Serbia, a Country with Friendly Relations with Russia | Global News

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, made a surprising visit to Russia-friendly Serbia on Monday, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the two countries. This visit marks Kuleba’s first trip to Serbia since the start of the Russian aggression on Ukraine in 2022.

During his visit, Kuleba met with new Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, whose government includes pro-Russian ministers, some of whom have been sanctioned by the U.S. Later in the day, Kuleba was scheduled to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

While Serbia has condemned Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, it has refrained from joining international sanctions against Moscow and has maintained warm relations with its traditional ally. Despite claiming neutrality in the conflict, there are reports that Serbia may have supplied weapons to Ukraine through intermediary countries.

The visit by Kuleba and Zelenska has stirred controversy in Moscow, with Russian state-run media criticizing the move. In an apparent effort to appease Russia, Vucevic was set to meet the Russian ambassador and tour a storage facility for Russian gas imported to Serbia after his talks with Kuleba.

Serbia, under the leadership of President Vucic, has sought to balance ties with various global powers, including Russia, China, Brussels, and Washington. The country recently signed an agreement with China to strengthen their relations, raising concerns about its shifting allegiances.

Overall, the unexpected visit by Ukrainian officials to Serbia highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics in the region and the delicate balancing act that countries like Serbia must navigate in the midst of international conflicts.