Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that he sees no prospects for a swift end to Russia’s war against Ukraine and expects a difficult winter for Ukraine and other European countries. Against the backdrop of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Belgrade, Serbia has announced further humanitarian aid and its readiness to rebuild one small Ukrainian town.
Briefly about the main points
- Vučić believes that Russia’s war against Ukraine may continue.
- The President of Serbia is predicting a difficult winter ahead for Europe.
- Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on his first official visit.
- Serbia plans to provide Ukraine with a new humanitarian aid package.
- Belgrade is ready to help with the reconstruction of a small town.
Talks in Belgrade against a backdrop of a pessimistic assessment of the war
Aleksandar Vučić said he was not confident that the war would end any time soon. «I am not confident that the war will end any time soon, and I fear that a difficult winter lies ahead, both for Ukraine and for all of us,» he said.
On 8 August, Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade for his first official visit to Serbia. The two sides plan to discuss security, economic cooperation and European integration.
Assistance and proposals for reconstruction
Belgrade is set to deliver another batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Serbia has previously provided humanitarian and energy aid; in particular, in May 2025, the Serbian government announced the delivery of energy equipment to repair the electricity grid.
Vučić also stated that Serbia is prepared to take on the reconstruction of one small Ukrainian town. Belgrade had previously announced this area of cooperation: in June 2025, Kyiv reported that Serbia was ready to assist in the reconstruction of several settlements.
Support for Ukraine without changing the stance on sanctions
Serbia declares its respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, whilst at the same time not joining sanctions against Russia. During Zelenskyy’s visit, Vučić confirmed that Belgrade’s position on restrictive measures had not changed.
Practical cooperation between Kyiv and Belgrade is expanding from humanitarian and energy supplies to discussions on a specific reconstruction project. At the same time, this does not signify a radical shift in Serbia’s policy, which combines its aspiration to join the EU with its traditionally close relations with Moscow.
