Serbia’s Vučić abstains at Odesa summit, denies “betraying Russia” following Ukraine visit

Vučić made these remarks while commenting on the outcome of the summit in Odesa, according to a statement published on the Serbian president's official website.

He confirmed that Serbia did not sign the joint declaration adopted at the Ukraine–Southeast Europe summit, explaining that “the declaration was not easy for us.” At the same time, he stressed that Belgrade’s position remains independent and that he is primarily concerned with “the interests of Serbia.”

Vučić also responded to reports in some Serbian media that described his trip to Ukraine as a “betrayal of Russia.”

"And whom or what did I betray? Russia? How? By attending the summit? This is already my fourth time at the Southeastern Europe and Ukraine summit, and once again, I’m the only one who didn’t accept the declaration. Unlike them, who would adopt anything against Russia - anything they can. But this only shows their total confusion. That they themselves no longer know what they want," Vučić said.

Vučić added that, in the past, the media had criticized him for being a “Russian agent,” and now they accuse him of “betraying Russia.” In response, he emphasized that he is defending the interests of his country, which, as he put it, “are always partly Russian and partly Ukrainian.”

"Because we are defending the interests of international public law. And we always act based on our own interests. When you have no arguments, all you can do is hope to achieve something through lies. In the end, the results are always the same - lies don’t go far. I am proud of Serbia’s policy, our independence, and we will continue on this path," Vučić added.

Regarding his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vučić expressed gratitude for the “exceptional hospitality” and for Ukraine’s adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and recognition of Serbia’s territorial integrity. “There were no representatives from Pristina present. This is a gesture that Serbia highly appreciates,” he stated.

“Now we could not, the declaration that was adopted was not easy and simple for us, and that is why I abstained and why my name and Serbia are not among the signatories of the declaration, but I want to express once again my full gratitude to President Zelenskyy for the exceptional hospitality here in Odesa,” Vučić said.

"Are we obliged to be grateful for that? I think we are. And what is there for me to criticize in this regard? Well, they allowed me to be here, to abstain, not to sign, and not to have Serbia listed as a signatory of the declaration. What more do you want? From Ukraine and from us. What exactly does someone expect from Serbia’s policy? I believe this is the peak a small country can reach while pursuing its own independent policy. I’m proud of that," Vučić said.

He added that on the day he is no longer president, such a policy “will be very difficult to maintain” because he has managed to achieve it “through thousands of personal connections, relationships that I have built over time with many people.”

• During the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Odesa on June 11, Vučić said that Serbia supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and is ready to help restore one or two towns or a small region.
• Following the summit, its participants signed the Odesa Declaration.