Serbian Vucic thanks Putin over natural gas supplies

On Sunday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic thanked Russian president Vladimir Putin for helping to secure enough natural gas supplies for his country's winter.

A three-year contract for gas supply between Russia and Serbia expires on March 20, 2025.

Vucic, Putin’s closest European ally, explained that the phone call was the first in nearly two-and-a-half years. It marked the 80th Anniversary of Belgrade’s Liberation from Fascism, and also discussed bilateral issues.

In a video posted on Instagram, the Serbian President said: "We had a good, long, open, and meaningful conversation."

He said, "I would like to thank him in particular for his help... to ensure that we have enough natural gas from Russia to Serbia during this winter."

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

Serbian government is under pressure by Western countries to align itself with the bloc, and impose sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Vucic stated on Sunday that Serbia would not deviate its position to not impose any sanctions.

(source: Reuters)