Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said he does not seek a photo opportunity with former U.S. President Donald Trump, but instead wants to have a substantive conversation with him.
Speaking to RTS during a visit to Moscow, Vučić said he had met Trump five times in the past and emphasized that he was not interested in “pictures” but in what could be achieved for Serbia.
“I want to talk to him. I deeply respect the American president and believe he is doing many good things for the world,” Vučić said, referring to a recent visit to Florida during which he was unable to attend an event reportedly due to entry restrictions.
Vučić denied reports of an official ban, saying the U.S. embassy was not involved and had no reason to comment on the matter. “The embassy didn’t participate and it wouldn’t be fair to expect a reaction,” he added.
Vučić said he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin following the Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Vučić for bilateral talks on May 9.
He is also scheduled to meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday.
“Tomorrow I will first meet Patriarch Kirill to present him with an order he has been awarded,” Vučić said. A dinner of world leaders will follow in the evening, he added.
Vučić said he was honored to represent Serbia at the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism. “If anyone has the right to be proud of the anti-fascist struggle, it’s the Serbian people,” he said.
He also described the logistical challenges of reaching Moscow, citing denied airspace access over several European countries and a rerouted flight path through Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan due to ongoing hostilities in the region.
Upon arrival in Moscow, Vučić was welcomed with flowers and an honor guard by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko. Vučić thanked Russian hosts for the “magnificent reception” in a post on Instagram.
His flight was temporarily held in Baku due to ongoing fighting between Russia and Ukraine, with several Russian airports reportedly closed in recent days due to drone attacks.
