Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow on May 9, Russian Deputy Chief of Staff Maksim Oreshkin said during a visit to Serbia on Saturday.
“This year is very significant — it marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory [in World War II]. Last October, the liberation of Belgrade [October 1944] was celebrated here, a major event. May symbolizes the victory in the Great Patriotic War. We are very pleased that President Vučić will be in Moscow, and of course, he will meet and hold talks with President Putin during his visit,” Oreshkin said after meeting Nenad Popović, Serbia’s Minister without Portfolio in charge of international economic cooperation.
Oreshkin began his visit to Serbia by laying a wreath at the Monument to the Liberators of Belgrade, accompanied by Popović and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko. The two delegations then held negotiations at the Serbian government headquarters.
Strengthening economic ties
According to Oreshkin, the discussions also focused on economic cooperation between Moscow and Belgrade.
“There are many important issues, and I am confident that solutions will be found to satisfy both Russia and Serbia — there can be no other way. The key is that there are many promising areas for cooperation, and everything is being carefully considered. I am sure that necessary decisions on numerous projects will be made very soon,” Oreshkin said, as reported by Russian media.
He expressed his pleasure at being in Serbia again, describing the country as “sacred land for every Russian.” He highlighted the sense of brotherhood he felt, not only through Serbia’s warm hospitality but also in everyday encounters.
Cultural diplomacy and sports
As part of Oreshkin’s visit, a friendly football match between Serbian club Partizan and Russia’s CSKA Moscow was scheduled to take place on Saturday evening at Partizan Stadium, named after the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA).
The upcoming meeting between Vučić and Putin is expected to further deepen bilateral ties, as Serbia continues to balance its EU aspirations with maintaining close relations with Russia.
