Putin agrees emergency energy deal with European leader
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to extend a gas supply contract with Serbia amid the worsening global energy crisis due to the war in the Middle East, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced after his phone call with Putin on Monday.
The US-Israeli war on Iran has sent global gas and oil prices skyrocketing as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, have dwindled.
Serbia, which has historically maintained close ties with Russia, has consistently resisted EU pressure to join sanctions or to cut energy ties with Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.
The conversation between Putin and Vucic focused mainly on the “strategic partnership” between the two nations, most notably with respect to energy supplies, the Kremlin confirmed. The Serbian president reportedly expressed gratitude for the continuation of “stable gas deliveries” from Russia.
After the call, Vucic told Serbian media that Putin had agreed to a three-month prolongation of a gas contract that was due to expire March 31. According to the Serbian president, Belgrade secured favorable terms, with prices far lower than in most of Europe.
According to the Kremlin, Putin and Vucic also exchanged views on the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, the Ukraine conflict, and security in Kosovo, as well as neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina.
