New Serbian ambassador begins diplomatic mission in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has received the credentials of Andon Sapundzi, the new Serbian ambassador to Ukraine, marking the start of his mission in Kyiv. Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy's post on Telegram Details: Sapundzi handed over copies of his credentials to Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mishchenko on 20 December.

Sapundzi was appointed as an ambassador to Kyiv at the end of October.

Before assuming his role in Kyiv, Sapundzi served in Serbia's embassy in Washington as minister-counsellor, the second-highest-ranking official, for six years. He has also held diplomatic positions in Paris and Brussels. Serbian media indicate that Sapundzi is closely associated with Serbia's Socialist Party and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.

Background:

• Serbia's embassy in Ukraine temporarily ceased operations in March 2022 due to security concerns.

  In May, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated after meeting Ukraine's then-Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that the Serbian ambassador would soon return to Kyiv.

• In September, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced that Serbia's embassy would resume operations in Kyiv this year.

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