Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić made his first-ever visit to Ukraine this Wednesday, accepting an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During his one-day trip, Vučić is expected to participate in the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit held in Odesa, according to the Serbian President’s Office.

According to Euronews’ European political sources, Vučić’s participation—and its symbolism—is seen as a strategic step toward reopening and accelerating Serbia’s EU accession chapters, while also signaling a realignment of Serbia with the EU position on Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As a gesture toward Serbia, Euronews reports that Kosovo was not invited to the summit.

Although Serbia has officially maintained a neutral stance in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Vučić’s recent visit to Moscow for Russia’s Victory Day parade alongside President Vladimir Putin drew harsh criticism from Brussels. EU officials warned that Vučić’s actions were incompatible with EU accession criteria and could jeopardize Serbia’s bid to join the 27-member bloc.

In contrast, his presence in Odesa is interpreted as a corrective move aimed at easing tensions with the EU.

Russia Accuses Serbia of Arming Ukraine

Meanwhile, tensions between Serbia and Russia have flared after the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) accused Serbia of exporting weapons to Ukraine, calling it a “stab in the back” from one of Moscow’s oldest European allies.

According to the SVR statement, Serbian defense companies were allegedly supplying ammunition to Kyiv through NATO intermediaries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria, and even via “exotic routes” involving African countries.

Vučić has denied the accusations, acknowledging a contract with the Czech Republic but insisting it does not permit the re-export of Serbian-made arms to other countries. He also announced that Serbia and Russia would form a joint working group to investigate how Serbian weapons may have ended up in Ukraine.

Southeast Europe–Ukraine Summit

The summit in Odesa gathers representatives from 12 Southeast European countries, including Romanian President Nicușor Dan, who is making his first visit to Ukraine since winning the May elections.

The summit is taking place amid renewed Russian attacks on Odesa. On Tuesday, two people were killed and 13 others injured in drone strikes that hit residential buildings and medical facilities, including a maternity ward, according to Ukrainian officials. President Zelensky confirmed the toll later that day.