State Department defers to Serbia, Ukraine on Zelenskyy's visit

The U.S. State Department has refrained from offering direct commentary on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's official visit to Serbia. When approached by N1 for remarks on the visit and the recent intensification of diplomatic ties between Belgrade and Kyiv, the department directed inquiries back to the respective governments.

"We refer you to the governments of Serbia and Ukraine for comment," the State Department stated in its response. This marks a departure from direct engagement on the specifics of the visit, placing the onus on the involved nations to address it.

Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia shortly before 6 p.m. at Nikola Tesla Airport. He was greeted by Serbian Minister of Energy Dubravka Đedović Handanović, with a red carpet and an honor guard from the Serbian Army. This visit is significant as it is Zelenskyy's first trip to Serbia since he assumed office in 2019 and since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.

The Ukrainian president is scheduled to meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on the following day. The agenda for their discussions is expected to cover various topics pertinent to bilateral relations and the ongoing regional situation.