Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will meet on Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although, Russian Ambassador in Belgrade Alexander Chepurin said there was no official announcement on Vucic’s meeting with Putin – because “meetings at that level are announced only a day or two in advance,” Vucic’s cabinet confirmed that the meeting is scheduled for Thursday. According to Chepurin, Russia wants to put relations between the two countries at a higher level, including progress in economic cooperation and continued support to Serbia in UNESCO, stressing that the Russian side has “great expectations from this visit.”
On the other hand, Serbian Prime Minister said that many agreements will be signed and many doubts resolved. “We are grateful to Russia for its support in the UN Security Council, in UNESCO and all international organizations. They helped us to defend and preserve our national integrity,” said Vucic.
Analysts say that Serbia hopes that Russia will continue to support it in regards to the membership of Kosovo in international organizations, but also hope that the economic cooperation will increase. Aleksandra Joksimovic, director of the Centre for Foreign Policy, says that Russia’s veto in UN is crucial for Serbia, recalling that the Russian ambassador mentioned it before Vucic’s departure to Russia.
In regards to the European requirements related to imposing sanctions to Russia, Joksimovic said: “Bearing in mind that Serbia has not introduced sanctions against Russia, it would be extremely important if appropriate results will be reached in economy, meaning significant increase in exports to Russia,” arguing that this has not been the case, so far.
