site.btaSerbia Declines to Sign Kyiv Declaration at Ukraine Summit

Serbia was the only country not to sign the Kyiv Declaration at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit on July 15, Serbian media reported.

"When you see the text of the declaration, you will understand why I was the only one who did not sign it," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told reporters in Kyiv, as quoted by the FoNet news agency.

The document was signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and representatives of Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Montenegro. In the declaration, the signatories pledged to continue providing political, military, financial and security support to Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia and cooperate in rebuilding the war-torn country.

Vucic stressed that he presented Serbia's positions, above all its respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, "which likewise respects the sovereignty of our country".

"We are actively providing financial, medical and energy assistance, and we also raised the issue of improving our region's transport connectivity with the wider European area as a prerequisite for faster development and a safer future," he said in a post on his Instagram profile. "We also discussed the creation of a corridor linking Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkiye."

Upon arriving in Kyiv by train, Vucic had already said there would be an issue with the forum's joint declaration, although he did not specify what it would be. He also did not take part in the ceremony honouring Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war with Russia.

Asked by the Tanjug news agency whether the meeting focused mainly on weapons and drones, Vucic confirmed that those were the only topics discussed.

"I did not engage in those discussions because we are a militarily neutral country, and I did not want to create a different impression. But, how can I put it, what stands out here is everyone's enthusiasm for Ukrainian drones and Ukraine's military capabilities," Vucic told Serbian media in Kyiv.