You're reading: Poroshenko urges Serbia to raise criminal liability for Serb mercenaries in Donbas

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has had a phone conversation with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and urged Serbia to increase criminal liability for Serbian citizens who join illegal armed groups in Donbas.

According to the presidential press service, Vucic said that Serbia would do its best to meet Poroshenko’s request.

Poroshenko said that Ukraine has always supported the territorial integrity of Serbia.

In turn, Vucic said he recognizes Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Poroshenko discussed the recent events in Donbas with Vucic and said he hoped that Serbia, which currently presides over the OSCE, would use every opportunity to achieve the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Both leaders agreed to coordinate their efforts in improving the efficiency of the OSCE SMM, in particular by increasing the number of inspectors and improving their technical support.

Poroshenko and Vucic also invited each other to make a state visit to their respective nations.