Information
Russia has accused Serbia of covertly supplying arms to Ukraine, calling it a betrayal by a historical ally. According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Serbian ammunition is being funnelled to Ukraine through NATO intermediaries like the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria, and even via African states using fake end-user certificates. Despite Belgrade’s proclaimed neutrality, the SVR claims Serbia’s defence industry has provided Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of shells and millions of rounds of ammunition, indirectly contributing to the conflict. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged discussing the matter with Vladimir Putin and agreed to form a working group to trace how Serbian weapons are reaching Ukraine.
The controversy reflects Serbia’s precarious balancing act between maintaining traditional ties with Russia and its aspirations for EU membership. While Vučić emphasizes Serbia’s independent foreign policy and traditional Slavic bonds with Russia, he has also reiterated Serbia’s commitment to eventually joining the European Union. His attendance at Moscow’s Victory Day parade in May was met with EU criticism, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Serbia continues to avoid aligning with Western sanctions against Russia and has refrained from supporting most EU statements condemning the invasion, underscoring its complex diplomatic position amid increasing pressure from both East and West.
Source: AP, Al Jazeera
So What
It is likely that this decision was primarily a pragmatic choice made by Serbian arms companies, likely with the awareness of some Serbian politicians. The ongoing war in Ukraine has allowed European defence companies to generate significant profits, and Serbia likely wanted to capitalize on this opportunity. Interestingly, this situation has been reported in the past, so the current interest in Russian intelligence services is unclear. It’s possible they have noticed its impact on the battlefield and are eager to put a stop to it.
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