Vučić tells Putin he is resigning as Serbia’s president

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call that he will resign on September 27 and thanked him for 14 years of cooperation. The leaders also discussed energy, elections and the Ukraine conflict.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić informed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on September 26 that he will step down as president on September 27. The roughly hour-long call took place at Belgrade’s initiative.

“I informed the Russian president that I am resigning tomorrow and thanked him for our previous cooperation, which lasted 14 years,” Vučić wrote on Instagram. He said he hoped Serbia’s future leaders would pursue a responsible, balanced foreign policy.

According to the Kremlin, Vučić congratulated Putin on the successful State Duma elections and thanked him for Russia’s help in fighting wildfires in Serbia. He also briefed Putin on preparations for Serbia’s parliamentary elections, and both sides stressed that outside interference in electoral processes is unacceptable.

Vladimir Putin during a phone call

The leaders discussed developing the Russian-Serbian strategic partnership, including in energy, oil and gas, transport and healthcare, as well as talks on gas supplies. International topics included the Ukraine conflict and preserving the Dayton architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Vučić shared his impressions of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week.

Vučić has previously stressed that Serbia has not joined sanctions against Russia.