Putin and Serbian deputy PM discuss gas contract

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said that he planned to discuss with Serbian Vice Prime Minister Aleksandar Volin a contract for gas supply that will expire in March 2025.

Putin and Vulin met at the Eastern Economic Forum, in Russia's far-eastern port of Vladivostok.

Serbia, which NATO bombed during the war in Kosovo in 1999, has historical close ties with Russia, but also aspirations to join the EU.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine 2022, has walked a thin line between condemning Russian military action and refusing to join European sanction against Moscow.

Gazpromneft is the majority owner of Serbia's NIS oil monopoly. Serbia is also looking to diversify energy sources.

Vulin’s office did not mention gas supply talks in a press release, but stated that Vulin had assured Putin of Serbia’s relationship with Russia.

It said that "Serbia, led by AleksandarVucic,... will not become a NATO member, will not impose sanctions against the Russian Federation and will never permit anti-Russian activities to be conducted from its territory."

Vulin is the former head the Serbian BIA security agency. He has been sanctioned by the United States because he helped Moscow with its "malign activities" and had links to a drug ring and an arms dealer. When sanctions were imposed on him, he resigned as the head of Serbia's BIA state security agency. He has also denied any wrongdoing.

He visited Russia just days after Belgrade signed an agreement with Dassault Aviation, a French company, about the

Buy

Twelve new Rafale jet fighters will be purchased for 2.7 billion euro ($2.98 billion), which is seen as a significant shift away from Russia. Russia was Serbia's main weapons supplier.

(source: Reuters)