On September 26, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a phone call to discuss enhancing cooperation across several sectors, including energy, oil and gas, transport, and healthcare. The talks aimed to further solidify the Russian-Serbian strategic partnership.
Currently, Serbia faces uncertainty regarding its energy collaboration with Russia, as its gas supply arrangement is set to expire at the end of September. Russian gas constitutes over 80% of Serbia’s gas supply, with Gazprom maintaining a stable delivery arrangement under a recent extension agreed upon in June. Serbia pays around $320-$330 per 1,000 cubic meters of gas, significantly less than the prevailing market price.
The leaders also discussed transport links, noting that Serbia is the only European nation with direct scheduled flights to Russia since the EU imposed a ban on Russian carriers in 2022. Additionally, there have been discussions regarding visa requirements for Russian citizens, with Vucic confirming there are no current plans to implement such measures.
Vucic expressed gratitude for Russian support, particularly in combating forest fires, and congratulated Putin on the State Duma elections. Both leaders addressed the importance of non-interference in electoral processes and exchanged views on international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Balkans, emphasizing the need to uphold the Dayton framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
