Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 20, the first such conversation between the two in 2 1/2 years, according to the Serbian leader. Serbia, which is a candidate to join the EU, has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine but refused to impose sanctions on Moscow. Vucic said he had thanked Putin for Russian energy deliveries and reiterated that Serbia will not change its stance on sanctions. The call comes as Russia awaits an official response to Putin's September invitation for Vucic to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, scheduled from October 22 to 24. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, click here.
