Ukraine: Russia pounds Kyiv as Zelenskyy visits Serbia

Russian forces intensified their assault on Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy venturing to Serbia for the first time. The visit took place in Belgrade, where Zelenskyy dined with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday evening. They reconvened for negotiations at the Serbian presidential palace on Saturday.

During their talks, both leaders discussed bolstering infrastructure, economic development, and job creation in Ukraine and Serbia, signing a memorandum of understanding on agricultural and food safety cooperation. They also addressed the winter challenges facing Ukraine, heavily impacted by Russian attacks on energy facilities, and their relationship with the European Union.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Vucic for providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, to which Vucic responded by reaffirming Serbia's commitment to Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity. Despite their strained relationship, Serbia has consistently refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia, angering the EU and delaying its EU membership.

Both countries aim to enhance economic ties and finalize a free trade agreement by year-end. Serbia has previously supplied nonmilitary aid to Ukraine, despite being accused by Russia of selling weapons to Ukraine. Vucic has visited Ukraine for a regional summit and again this year, though he has yet to sign a formal declaration supporting Ukraine in the war.

The visit occurred following a deadly Russian air raid on Kyiv and its surroundings, claiming at least four lives, including a child. Russian strikes reportedly killed three people in Pukhivka, Kyiv region, with drone attacks, and another person was killed in a missile strike on civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 135 out of 151 Russian drones launched overnight.

Ukraine's General Staff announced military strikes on Russia's Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries, causing fires at both sites.