Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Đurić said Belgrade is ready to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
According to Ukraine’s Ukrinform, he expressed this position during an interview with Fox News.
“Serbia is also among the countries offering its good offices, given our past, given that we are friends with all involved parties, to try and, if necessary, or if there is interest, to conduct any negotiations… about how to put an end to this terrible tragedy that has caused so many deaths and so much destruction.”
– Marko Đurić
Context of the proposal and reaction
Đurić added that the conflict in Ukraine should end as soon as possible. “Serbia basically supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in accordance with the borders recognized by the UN,” particularly with regard to Ukraine.
The idea for Belgrade emerged after the planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was due to be held in Hungary, was postponed.
Some analysts believe Serbia could become an unexpected venue for a new round of talks to end hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, given historical and cultural ties.
Also in the context of the events, as Ukrinform reports, the United States is considering sanctions policy against Serbia’s oil company NIS, which is owned by Russia and runs Serbia’s only oil refinery.
For now this is only Belgrade’s proposal, which requires further consideration and confirmation by interested countries.