Putin and Vucic agree to extend gas contract for Serbia
Putin and Vucic agreed to extend Russian gas supplies to Serbia for three months with favorable terms in a call focused on energy security amid global conflicts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held a phone call on Monday to discuss energy security amid the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, according to the Kremlin. The conversation focused on the "strategic partnership" between the two nations, particularly regarding energy supplies, with Vucic expressing gratitude for "stable gas deliveries" from Russia.
Following the call, Vucic told Serbian media that Putin had agreed to a three-month extension of a gas contract set to expire on March 31. According to the Serbian president, Belgrade secured very favorable terms, with prices far lower than in most of Europe. This agreement comes as global gas and oil prices have skyrocketed due to the war in the Middle East, which has reduced shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz to a trickle in recent weeks.
Serbia, which has historically maintained close ties with Russia, has consistently resisted EU pressure to join sanctions against Moscow or cut energy ties with its ally over the Ukraine conflict. The call also included an exchange of views on the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, the Ukraine conflict, and security in Kosovo and neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, as reported by the Kremlin.
This deal reinforces Serbia's position as a key energy ally of Russia in Europe, ensuring stable supplies during a period of volatility in global energy markets.
