# Serbia's expanding diplomatic partnerships

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbias-expanding-diplomatic-partnerships
> Updated: 2026-08-06T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026 Serbia highlighted its deepening strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, with State Secretary Nevena Jovanović thanking the outgoing Azerbaijani ambassador for strengthening political dialogue, high‑level visits and cooperation across many sectors, and noting Azerbaijan’s support for Serbia’s sovereignty. A few days later President Aleksandar Vučić welcomed the Spanish ambassador, emphasizing Spain as a key EU partner, discussing expanded economic ties, Spain’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade, and upcoming high‑level visits. Vučić cited a sixteen‑fold increase in trade with Azerbaijan, plans for a new bridge, rolling‑stock procurement from Spain, and the purchase of Spanish military aircraft, linking these diplomatic efforts to Serbia’s domestic political calendar and forthcoming elections.

On 8 August 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first official visit to Belgrade since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The trip, described by Kyiv as a “palm for the Russians,” aimed to draw Serbia away from Moscow’s sphere of influence. Vučić and Zelensky discussed Serbia’s European integration path, bilateral economic cooperation, energy ties, and the newly announced Carpathian Initiative – a regional platform for logistics, security, tourism and post‑war reconstruction involving Ukraine, Serbia and six other European countries. The visit underscored Serbia’s broader strategy of diversifying diplomatic relationships while balancing its EU accession ambitions with historic energy dependence on Russia.

## Claims

- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Serbia on 8 August 2026. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić will host Zelensky during the visit. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- It will be Zelensky's first visit to Serbia since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Russia following the invasion. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- Serbia is a candidate for EU membership and seeks to balance relations with the EU and Russia. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- A Ukrainian official described the visit as a “palm for Russians” and said it aims to pull Serbia away from Russian influence. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić received a farewell visit from Spanish ambassador Juan José Sanz Aparicio. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Vučić said Serbia considers Spain one of its most important partners in the European Union. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Vučić mentioned discussions about expanding economic cooperation and Spain’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Carpathian Initiative, proposed by Zelensky, aims to foster regional cooperation among Ukraine, Serbia and six other European countries. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The visit follows previous meetings between Vučić and Zelensky at summits in Kyiv. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Vučić said trade with Azerbaijan has increased sixteenfold. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-06: Zelensky to make first visit to Serbia since Russia invasion

Zelensky will visit Serbia on 8 Aug 2026 – his first since the Russian invasion – to strengthen ties, push Serbia away from Moscow and discuss the Carpathian Initiative.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aleksandar-vui-greets-spanish-ambassador-touts-serbiaspain-partnership

### 2026-08-03: Serbia deepens partnership with Azerbaijan as Jovanović meets ambassador

Serbian State Secretary Nevena Jovanović thanked Azerbaijan’s ambassador Kamal Hasiyev for strengthening bilateral ties and pledged deeper cooperation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbia-deepens-partnership-with-azerbaijan-as-jovanovi-meets-ambassador

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Cite as: Serbia's expanding diplomatic partnerships. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbias-expanding-diplomatic-partnerships