Vucic speaks with Putin

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that, in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he had expressed the hope Serbia would not impose sanctions on Russia and that he had expressed gratitude for Russian support for Serbia's efforts in the UN and the territorial integrity of Serbia, and noted that that would not change.

"I have just finished a conversation with Putin, we had not spoken for almost two and a half years. We had a good, open, long and substantial conversation about the occasion - 80 years since the (WWII) liberation of Belgrade, and I thanked Putin for his congratulations and noted the unwavering and freedom-loving spirit of the Serbs and the gratitude of Serbia and our people," Vucic said in a video posted on Instagram.

Serbian units, together with the Red Army, took part in the liberation of our capital, Vucic added.

"We exchanged views on all important bilateral affairs, including economic ones, and I especially thanked Putin for making sure, prior to the correction by (Gazprom CEO Alexey) Miller, that this year, too, Russia secures sufficient quantities of gas for the Republic of Serbia, at the level of 6 mln cubic metres plus 2 mln plus 3 mln - that is a pattern you remember from the past years that is extremely important to us - at very favourable prices," Vucic said.

He added that the discussion had also addressed other economic affairs, cooperation and all important political affairs, and announced that he would speak about this on the RTS on Monday.

"But what I can say is that, just like two and a half years ago, I expressed the hope Serbia will not impose sanctions on the Russian Federation, just like I also expressed exceptional gratitude for the support for our efforts in the UN when it comes to various resolutions, and especially, for the permanent support for the territorial integrity of Serbia.

In any case, I believe this will contribute to further development of Serbian-Russian relations and that we will not only be able to help each other but to also develop the trust between our peoples and countries," Vucic noted.