Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and the United States have agreed on monthly supplies of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems.
Speaking during a visit to Belgrade at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks a dignified peace. He noted that while the United States can help Ukraine the most with air defence missiles, those supplies alone will not be enough. He added that Germany and Poland also have Patriot interceptor missiles and possess the capability to provide serious assistance.
Ukraine currently faces a shortage of interceptor missiles for its Patriot systems, which are the only units in the country capable of effectively shooting down Iskander-M, Kinzhal, and Zircon missiles flying on ballistic and quasi-ballistic trajectories. Against the backdrop of this shortage, Russian forces have intensified their strikes across Ukraine.
Zelenskyy reported that over the previous 24 hours, Russian attacks killed 13 people and injured 77 others across 12 regions. He stated that recent drone attacks targeted energy facilities and the railway network, adding that every power plant in Ukraine has been attacked alongside railway stations, hospitals, universities, and social enterprises.
Serbian support and European integration
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated during the press conference that Serbia wants the war to end as soon as possible, but expressed strong fears that another difficult winter lies ahead. Vucic stated that Belgrade will not object if Ukraine joins the European Union before Serbia, noting Serbia will never create problems or demand to be admitted first because its accession process started earlier.
Vucic emphasized that Serbia will continue to maintain its policy supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity without any exceptions. He also reported that Serbia has allocated significant aid in medicines and plans to support Ukraine with equipment needed by the energy sector before winter.
Both leaders reported progress in negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, with Zelenskyy expressing hope that the document can be concluded by the end of the year. Vucic described the trade agreement as extremely important for Serbia and added that Belgrade previously promised to help rebuild a small Ukrainian city damaged by the war.
Official visit and diplomatic background
Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia on August 7 for his first official visit to the country, accompanied by a delegation for talks scheduled with Vucic and Prime Minister Djuro Macut. Upon arrival at the airport, Zelenskyy was met by Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic before attending a dinner with Vucic later that evening.
Writing on Telegram on the evening of August 7, Zelenskyy stated that the discussions would focus on expanding economic ties, relations with the European Union, and security issues. In a post on his official Instagram account, Vucic expressed conviction that the visit would contribute to the further development of relations between Serbia and Ukraine and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Ahead of the official meetings, Vucic noted that the two leaders would discuss their countries' applications for European Union membership, as well as economic and energy cooperation. The two presidents previously met in Kyiv in mid-July 2026 during the Ukraine-South East Europe summit.
At that summit in Kyiv, Vucic confirmed he was the only participant who did not sign a joint declaration on continuing political, military, financial, and security support for Ukraine and strengthening pressure on Russia. That document accused Russia of illegal, unprovoked, and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, calling for an immediate end to the war and the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from all Ukrainian territory.
Although Serbia condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Belgrade refuses to join sanctions imposed by the European Union against Moscow. Vucic previously held a telephone call with Zelenskyy in May 2026, after which he stated that Serbia and Ukraine seek to improve relations through dialogue.
Vucic has met Zelenskyy several times at international events. His trip to Kyiv in July 2026 marked the first visit by a Serbian leader to the Ukrainian capital in over 10 years, following a visit to Ukraine a year earlier to attend a summit in Odesa.
