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Serbian Vucic wants to increase cooperation with Russia

Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, said that Serbia is hoping for a better cooperation with Russia.

Vucic, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, took part in the regional security summit held in Beijing. The Chinese hope to use this event as a counterweight to Western influence on global affairs.

Vucic stated that "cooperation with Russia at the highest levels is very important for Serbia. This is especially true in the areas of energy and Russian supplies of gas," at the beginning of the meeting with Putin.

Serbia is aspiring to be a member of the European Union. However, Russia, its traditional Slavic, Orthodox Christian, and Christian ally, continues to be Serbia's largest gas supplier. Pro-Russian sentiments are also strong in this Balkan nation.

Gazpromneft and Gazprom own Serbia's NIS Oil Company, which operates the only oil refinery in Serbia.

Vucic said to Putin that gas purchases were very important. "I'm sure we can enhance and strengthen our bilateral cooperation."

Serbia has condemned Russia's invasion in Ukraine 2022. Vucic also met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy four times.

Vucic, the Serbian president, said that Serbia would remain neutral.

He said: "Since beginning the Ukrainian crisis, Serbia is in a very challenging situation and is under great pressure. But... we will maintain our neutrality."

In recent months, relations between Belgrade and Moscow deteriorated after the Russian SVR agency of foreign intelligence accused Serbia twice of selling artillery to Ukraine via intermediaries in Eastern Europe.

Since then, Moscow has openly supported Vucic in his attempt to confront anti-corruption demonstrations that began ten months ago. (Reporting and editing by Kevin Liffey; Aleksandar Vasovic)

(source: Reuters)