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Eastern Europe: Ukraine and Serbia plan free trade deal by year-end
🇩🇪 Germany /Economy & Trade

Eastern Europe: Ukraine and Serbia plan free trade deal by year-end

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Serbia and Ukraine plan to sign a free trade agreement by the end of the year to deepen economic cooperation.
  • Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić hopes the agreement will accelerate Serbia's accession to the European Union.
  • While supporting Ukraine's independence, Serbia maintains close ties with Russia and has not joined Western sanctions against Moscow.

Serbia and Ukraine are set to sign a free trade agreement by the end of 2026, aiming to significantly deepen their economic ties. The announcement came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Belgrade, the first since he took office in 2019.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed optimism that the agreement will bolster Serbia's efforts to join the European Union. The pact is considered a prerequisite for Serbia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the EU.

Discussions between Zelenskyy and Vučić also covered cooperation on energy and food security for the upcoming winter. Despite Serbia's historical alliance with Russia, its dependence on Russian gas, and its non-participation in Western sanctions against Moscow, Vučić reaffirmed Serbia's support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity.

This planned free trade agreement marks a significant step in bilateral relations, balancing Serbia's strategic partnerships while pursuing its long-term European integration goals.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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