Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to extend a gas supply contract with Serbia, amid the worsening global energy crisis due to the war in the Middle East, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced after his phone call with Putin on Monday.

The US-Israeli war against Iran has caused global gas and oil prices to rise sharply, while shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, have decreased.

Serbia, which has historically maintained close ties with Russia, has consistently resisted EU pressure to join sanctions or cut energy ties with Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine.

The Kremlin confirmed that the conversation between Putin and Vucic focused mainly on the “strategic partnership” between the two nations, particularly regarding energy supplies. The Serbian president reportedly expressed gratitude for the continued “stable gas supplies” from Russia.

After the call, Vučić told Serbian media that Putin had agreed to a three-month extension of a gas contract that was set to expire on March 31. According to the Serbian president, Belgrade secured favorable conditions, with prices much lower than in most of Europe.