Serbian president declines BRICS invite, citing key foreign meetings

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucić, rejected on Thursday the invitation from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to the BRICS summit, which will take place in October in Kazan. The Serbian leader noted that he expects "important guests from abroad" at the same time.

President Vucić admitted that ten days ago he received an invitation from the President of Russia to the BRICS summit, which will take place on 22-24 October in Kazan.

- I received a very nice invitation to the BRICS summit, but I have important foreign guests planned for that time. I am also leaving for New York for the UN General Assembly session and I already know that I will be speaking with at least six presidents and eight prime ministers - explained the President of Serbia.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Serbia has accepted thousands of refugees from the attacked country, condemned Russian aggression several times, and sent humanitarian aid to Kyiv. President Vucić also met with President Zelensky during this time, and, as he himself admitted, has not spoken with President Putin since February 2022.

At the same time, the government in Belgrade maintains contacts with Russia and refuses to join the sanctions imposed on that country. On Wednesday, during a conversation with Putin, Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vulin, emphasized that "Belgrade is an ally of Moscow and as long as President Vucić is in power, it will not adopt sanctions or join NATO".