Zelenskiy welcomed Serbia's opposition victory and calls for deeper cooperation with Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the victory of Serbia's opposition Student List in the snap parliamentary elections held on 25 October, calling it a new chapter in the country's history. He expressed gratitude for Serbia's respect for Ukraine's people, state and independence, and said Kyiv was ready to expand bilateral cooperation.
Puncte-cheie
- Serbia's snap parliamentary elections were held on 25 October 2026.
- The Student List received an estimated 52.9% of the vote in a CeSID and Ipsos projection.
- Preliminary estimates gave the Student List 135–140 seats and Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party 105 in the 250-seat parliament.
- Alexander Vučić conceded defeat on the evening of 25 October.
- The Student List was formed by protest participants and included scientists, doctors, artists and civic activists.
- Zelensky wrote on X on 26 October that the victory opens a new chapter in Serbia's history.
- Ukraine is ready to expand its cooperation with Serbia.
- Lula da Silva won Brazil's election and will serve a fourth presidential term.
De ce contează
The result represents a major political shift in Serbia and a defeat for Alexander Vučić's party after nearly two years of student-led protests. Ukraine's public welcome and stated readiness to deepen cooperation could affect bilateral relations with a government emerging from a changed political landscape in Serbia.
Ce s-a întâmplat
Serbia's snap parliamentary elections were held on 25 October. According to preliminary projections by CeSID and Ipsos, the opposition Student List won 52.9% of the vote, while Vučić's United Serbia received 38.8%. Preliminary seat estimates gave the Student List 135–140 mandates and the Serbian Progressive Party 105 in the 250-seat parliament. Vučić conceded defeat on the evening of 25 October.
On 26 October, President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that the Student List's victory opens a new chapter in Serbia's history. He thanked Serbia for respecting Ukraine's people, state and independence, wished the country success, real development and warm relations with the European Union, and said Ukraine was ready to expand cooperation with Serbia.
Cum prezintă evenimentul sursele ucrainene
Ukrainian coverage centers on Zelensky's welcome for Serbia's electoral change, his appreciation for Serbia's respect toward Ukraine and the announced expansion of bilateral cooperation. The reporting also places his comments in the broader context of his reaction to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's victory in Brazil, including calls for stronger cooperation with both Brazil and Serbia.
Cum prezintă evenimentul sursele internaționale
The supplied coverage comes entirely from Ukrainian media and agencies, so it does not provide a distinct international-source framing. The only international institution cited is the European Union, which described the Student List's victory as opening a new stage for Serbia.
Context
The election followed nearly two years of student demonstrations against corruption and growing authoritarian tendencies. The protests began after the collapse of a railway-station canopy in Novi Sad in 2024, which killed 16 people. The Student List emerged from discussions among protest participants and included scientists, doctors, artists and civic activists. Vučić announced his resignation in late September to contest the snap election and compete for the prime minister's office. Serbia's previous parliamentary election was held on 17 December 2023.