President William Ruto and Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia held talks in Baku on bilateral relations, including the contentious issue of Kenya’s recognition of Kosovo.
The meeting marked the first direct engagement between the two leaders since Serbia formally protested Nairobi’s recognition of Kosovo earlier last year.
“Kenya and Serbia continue to build stronger diplomatic and economic ties aimed at advancing our shared interests for the benefit of our citizens,” Ruto wrote on X after the meeting, without directly mentioning the Kosovo dispute.
“We are keen on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, particularly through the expansion of market access for Kenya’s agricultural products in Serbia,” he added.
Vučić had earlier disclosed that he would engage Ruto over the recognition issue, though he publicly framed the discussions within the broader context of bilateral relations.
Following the meeting at the 13th World Urban Forum, Vučić said the two leaders discussed “general bilateral and economic relations between Serbia and Kenya.”
“This important global summit is also an extraordinary opportunity to exchange views on the common challenges of urbanisation, infrastructure and economic progress, which are key topics for both Serbia and Kenya,” the Serbian leader wrote on Facebook.
Vučić also invoked historical ties between the two countries through the Non-Aligned Movement.
“Our two peoples are united by a long tradition of friendship dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement, but our common goal is to transform these historical ties into modern and concrete economic cooperation,” he wrote.
“Kenya is developing rapidly, while Serbia, with its major infrastructure projects, urban modernisation, and the approaching EXPO 2027, has much to offer.”
The Serbian president said he had invited Ruto to visit Serbia.
Kenya formally recognised Kosovo as an independent state in March 2025, becoming the first country in nearly five years to extend recognition to Pristina amid stalled international efforts to widen diplomatic recognition.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but remains outside the United Nations due to opposition from Serbia and allies, including Russia and China, both permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The last country to recognise Kosovo before Kenya was Israel in September 2020.
Belgrade reacted sharply to Nairobi’s decision in March, describing the move as an “unfriendly act” and a “blatant violation of international law.”
