Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić hosted a dinner in honor of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on his first official visit to Serbia.
In an Instagram post, Vučić said he welcomed Zelensky to Belgrade and that the dinner was the first opportunity to open talks on topics that will be the focus of official meetings.
"It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to host the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, who is paying an official visit to Serbia for the first time. I am convinced that this visit will contribute to the further development of relations between Serbia and Ukraine, as well as cooperation in areas of common interest," Vučić wrote.
He added that during the dinner, the European path of Serbia and Ukraine was also discussed, while emphasizing that the reception was an opportunity to introduce the guests to the spirit of Serbia and a part of the country's tradition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine's policy has not changed regarding the non-recognition of Kosovo's independence.
"We respect the territorial integrity of our partners and international law. Regarding Kosovo, our position remains unchanged. We are grateful to Serbia for respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea," Zelensky said during a press conference in Belgrade alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Despite Kiev not recognizing the independence declared in 2008, Kosovo has joined European and US sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. Pristina has also sheltered Ukrainian journalists who fled their country because of the war.
Meanwhile, Vučić said that he had discussed military cooperation with the Ukrainian leader, whose country is facing an invasion launched by Russia in February 2022.
"What will happen when the war ends, that's another matter ," said Vučić, who welcomed Zelensky on his first official visit to Serbia.
Zelensky's visit to Serbia comes at a time when Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine.
According to Zelensky, a drone strike in Pukhivka, in the Kiev region, killed three people, including a 3-year-old child. The victims were a grandfather, a grandmother, and their grandson.
Four other people were injured and taken to hospital. Among them were the child's parents, his 15-year-old brother and a neighbour who had gone to help the family.
Another person was killed in Kiev after an attack with six ballistic missiles on civilian infrastructure.
Zelensky called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia and impose new sanctions to prevent the production of ballistic missiles.