Serbia and Ukraine pledged to deepen economic cooperation and aim to complete a long-delayed free trade agreement by the end of the year, as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Belgrade.
The commitment came as Zelenskyy concluded a two-day visit on Saturday, his first to Serbia since taking office in 2019, following several previous meetings between the leaders, most recently in Kyiv on July 15.
Vucic also reaffirmed Serbia's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and its bid to join the European Union.
The proposed free trade agreement has been under discussion for more than two decades, with Ukraine blocking a deal since 2005 over agricultural quotas and tariffs.
The agreement is crucial to Serbia's effort to join the World Trade Organization and is also a prerequisite for its EU membership.
Both leaders presented progress on the negotiations as part of a broader expansion of economic relations.
Zelenskyy said discussions covered joint infrastructure projects and cooperation on energy and food security ahead of winter.
He also discussed economic and logistics projects with Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut, including the Danube Corridor and closer connections between Ukraine, the Western Balkans and the EU.
Serbia pledged 2 million euros to support Ukraine's energy sector and prepared a humanitarian aid package focused particularly on medical and energy needs.
The countries also signed a memorandum covering animal health and food safety.
Vucic said Serbia would help rebuild Ukrainian cities damaged during Russia's invasion, while maintaining Belgrade's longstanding diplomatic balance between its European ambitions and relations with Moscow.
Serbia condemned Russia's 2022 invasion and supports Ukraine's territorial integrity, including territories seized by Russia since 2014, but has declined to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has not recognised Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, aligning with Belgrade's position that Kosovo remains part of Serbia.
Vucic expressed scepticism that either Serbia or Ukraine would achieve rapid EU accession, while pledging Serbian support for Kyiv's membership bid.
Vucic and Zelenskyy said military cooperation was not discussed during the visit.