Vučić's call to a friend, expects Putin's help with oil and gas

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić spoke by phone today with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Vučić informed President Putin about the difficulties Serbia is facing in importing crude oil and expressed his conviction that the managements of NIS and Serbia, as well as EU partners, will find a way out of this situation.

Also, Vučić and Putin noted that the long-term gas contract that Serbia had expires on May 31, and that it is necessary to initiate talks in the shortest possible period regarding the price, quantities, and other conditions for the procurement of this energy source, which is important for Serbia.

The two presidents analyzed the economic situation and bilateral relations in the sphere of energy and trade exchange, which recorded growth in 2021 and the first two months of 2022, which is a good sign of successful cooperation.

Putin wished President Vučić luck and success in his responsible duty as head of state and Serbia's progress in the next five years, expressing his conviction that Serbia and Russia will preserve their truly friendly relations, the President's press service announced.

Finally, Putin informed Vučić about the events in Ukraine and the reasons that guided Russia in carrying out, as Putin said, the operation in Ukraine, and President Vučić referred to Serbia's positions, already well-known to Putin, and the conclusions of the National Security Council, expressing hope that the conflict in Ukraine will end in the shortest possible period.