VLADIVOSTOK – Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to discuss the future of Serbia’s gas supply contract, which is set to expire in March 2025, during a meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
Serbia, which maintains strong historical ties with Russia, heavily depends on Russian gas for its energy needs. However, the country has been seeking to diversify its energy sources. Despite aspiring to join the European Union, Serbia has resisted calls to impose sanctions on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement, Vulin’s office did not directly address gas talks but reaffirmed Serbia’s close ties with Russia. “Serbia, led by Aleksandar Vucic, will never become a member of NATO, will never impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, and will never allow anti-Russian actions to be carried out from its territory,” the statement said.
Vulin, formerly head of Serbia’s state security agency (BIA), has been sanctioned by the United States for alleged ties to Moscow’s malign activities and links to arms dealing and drug trafficking. He has denied these allegations.
Vulin’s visit to Russia follows a significant shift in Serbia’s defense strategy. Belgrade recently agreed to purchase 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation for €2.7 billion, signaling a move away from its reliance on Russian military supplies.