Serbia is ready to participate in Ukraine post-war reconstruction – PM Brnabić

Serbia has expressed its readiness to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and support its European integration.

Such a statement was made by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, who took part in the online summit of the Crimean Platform.

Thus, she noted that Serbia is “not value-neutral” and “fully respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”. Brnabić also said that her country regrets the suffering of Ukraine and its people.

“We will continue to pay special attention to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and provide assistance, as evidenced by our decision to donate goods and medicines to alleviate humanitarian suffering,” the Serbian Prime Minister said.

Ana Brnabić also added that Serbia is a true friend of Ukraine and stressed Serbia’s readiness to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and support its European integration by sharing its experience.

There was a lot of speculation that Serbia was trying to balance between the EU and Moscow, as Belgrade has traditionally had good relations with Russia and has sometimes demonstrated anti-European rhetoric.

Serbia did not join the EU sanctions against Russia for the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine, which led to a flurry of criticism from Brussels. However, Serbia is taking the side of Ukraine in defence of its territorial integrity and respect for international law.

Joining the West is a much better choice for Serbia than maintaining a relationship with Moscow, which is being increasingly condemned on the international stage for its war in Ukraine and more isolated and weaker.

On 22 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic. Zelenskyy called the conversation “open, honest, productive”.

The two leaders discussed respect for the UN Charter, the inviolability of borders, the future of peoples in a common European home, and developing relations, a common interest of Ukraine and Serbia. They also touched upon the events in Ukraine, Kosovo and Metohija.