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BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) \u2014 Serbia\u2019s Russia-friendly leader made a surprise visit to Ukraine<\/a> on Wednesday for a summit on strengthening European support for Kyiv’s fight against Russian aggression, but he refused to sign a joint declaration calling for tougher sanctions against Moscow.<\/p>\n It was President Aleksandar Vucic’s first visit to Ukraine since taking office over a decade ago. He attended the summit between Ukraine and 12 Southeast European states in Odesa.<\/p>\n While saying he wants Serbia to join the European Union, Vucic<\/a> has maintained close relations with Russia. He defied EU warnings and attended Russia\u2019s Victory Day parade in Moscow<\/a> on May 9. EU officials said it was inappropriate for Vucic to stand side by side<\/a> with President Vladimir Putin, considering Moscow\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n Vucic told Serbian media on Wednesday that the signing of the \u201canti-Russian\u201d declaration wasn\u2019t \u201ceasy and simple for us,” and he abstained, noting its mention of sanctions as one reason.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I would like to once again express my full gratitude to President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy for the exceptional hospitality here in Odessa,” Vucic added.<\/p>\n Serbia, which relies almost fully on Russia for its energy supplies, has refused to join Western sanctions on Russia imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, though it officially supports Ukraine\u2019s territorial integrity.<\/p>\n