Narrative thread · 2 events
Serbia-Ukraine ties
Where things stand
Zelensky's Belgrade visit brought free-trade and reconstruction pledges, but his Kosovo remarks drew fallout: Pristina removed the Ukrainian flag, protesters marched on both embassies in Tirana, and Vucic threatened on Sunday to cut water to Kosovo's Gazivode plant.
Serbia is an EU candidate that has kept close relations with Russia, leaving its position on Ukraine contested at home. President Aleksandar Vucic pursues European integration while part of the Serbian public leans toward Moscow, which makes any opening toward Kyiv politically sensitive.
Timeline in detail
Monday, 10 August 2026 · GeopoliticsVucic threatens to cut water to Kosovo's largest hydropower plant
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that Belgrade could divert the Ibar river and leave the Gazivode plant without water, citing the treatment of Serbs, and called Europe's actions against Russia a hybrid war that has the continent on the brink of a larger conflict. Pristina removed the Ukrainian flag after Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks on Kosovo during his visit to Belgrade, and protesters in Tirana marched on the Serbian and Ukrainian embassies.
Sunday, 9 August 2026 · GeopoliticsZelensky makes first Serbia visit as Belgrade pledges free-trade deal
Zelensky makes first Serbia visit as Belgrade pledges free-trade deal
Volodymyr Zelensky met Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Saturday, and the two agreed to work toward a free-trade agreement by the end of the year and to have Serbia help rebuild Ukrainian cities. Vucic said he would back Kyiv's EU accession and that military cooperation had not been discussed, while pro-Russian demonstrators protested outside the presidency.
