Belgrade has decided to halt the export of arms and ammunition following accusations from Russia that Serbian weapons were being sent to Ukraine through intermediaries. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic made the announcement, stating that all exports have been stopped and that specific decisions will need to be made in the future in accordance with Serbia’s interests.
The move came after Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that Serbian arms manufacturers were sending weapons to Ukraine through indirect supply schemes. This has raised concerns about the involvement of third parties in the arms trade between Serbia and Ukraine.
According to the Russian intelligence agency, Serbian defense firms have been sending weapons, especially ammunition, to Ukraine via NATO countries like the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. These countries are known for supplying military equipment to Ukraine, and the use of intermediary countries has allowed Kyiv to receive weapons assembled in Western countries.
This is not the first time that Russia has accused Serbia of supplying arms to Ukraine. Last month, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service made similar allegations, accusing Serbia’s military-industrial complex of going against Belgrade’s neutrality policy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Despite these accusations, Serbia has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and continues to pursue a policy of neutrality. The country has been a candidate for EU membership since 2012, but its actions in the arms trade have raised concerns about its alignment with Western values.
The decision to halt arms exports is a significant step for Serbia and reflects the country’s commitment to maintaining its neutrality in international conflicts. It remains to be seen how this will impact Serbia’s relations with Russia and other countries involved in the arms trade.
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