Serbia president lauds Russia ties at EU Balkans summit

Aleksandar Vui's comments come as EU leaders ditch proposal to put 2030 deadline for six western Balkan nations to join bloc

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vui, has lauded his ties with the Kremlin for shielding his country from the energy crisis at a summit with EU and western Balkans leaders, fuelling fears that China and Russia would be the beneficiaries as the bloc further forestalled over enlargement.

Vui told reporters he had been proven right in maintaining close ties with Beijing and Moscow despite EU concerns, describing Vladimir Putin as the kingmaker" in energy.