Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic made a statement clarifying that his country has never sold weapons or ammunition to Ukraine or Russia. He added, however, that Serbian arms may have ended up on the battlefield via third countries. Vucic’s remarks come in response to a leaked classified Pentagon document alleging that Serbia had agreed to or had already provided arms to Kyiv, which is currently in a conflict with Russia. Vucic’s assertion suggests that Serbia remains committed to maintaining neutrality in the conflict and avoiding any direct involvement. The situation underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the challenges of tracking the flow of arms and ammunition in the region.
In his statement to reporters, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic affirmed that his country has not sold and will not sell arms to Ukraine. Furthermore, he emphasized that Serbia has not and will not export any arms or ammunition to its traditional ally, Russia. He added that there is no evidence or document that can support such allegations. The statement was made in response to a leaked Pentagon report claiming that Serbia had agreed to provide arms to Kyiv. Vucic’s comments suggest that Serbia is committed to neutrality and avoiding any involvement in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Image source : AL Jazzera
Table of Contents
Serbia’s relation with Ukraine relations
Serbia and Ukraine maintain diplomatic relations, but they have been influenced by a variety of factors, including historical events, geopolitical considerations, and economic ties.
Serbia and Ukraine, on the other hand, share a common Slavic heritage and have historically had friendly relations. Serbia’s close ties with Russia, on the other hand, have caused tensions with Ukraine, particularly since the conflict in eastern Ukraine began in 2014. Serbia has refused to participate in Western sanctions against Russia, which Ukraine sees as a betrayal of their shared values and interests.
Furthermore, Serbia has been accused of supporting Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, which the Serbian government denies. In contrast, Ukraine has developed stronger ties with Western countries, including the United States and the European Union, which has resulted in increased cooperation.
Despite these challenges, both countries continue to cooperate in areas such as energy and trade. They have also expressed a willingness to improve their bilateral relations and taken steps to increase cultural and educational exchanges between their two nations.
Image source : Balkan Insights
Serbian President Denies Sales of Military
Foreign media sources report that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has denied the claims made in a leaked Pentagon report alleging that Serbia had agreed to provide arms to Ukraine. He stated that Serbia has never exported and will never export weapons or ammunition to Ukraine or Russia, and that there is no evidence to support such allegations. The report is said to be a summary of European governments’ responses to Ukraine’s requests for military training and “lethal aid”. While the authenticity of the document has not been independently verified by Reuters, Vučić’s statement suggests that Serbia is committed to maintaining neutrality in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The situation highlights the challenges of tracking the flow of arms and ammunition in the region and underscores the complexity of the ongoing conflict.
Serbian Defence Minister Milos Vucevic also rejected the allegations, saying that someone was trying to draw Serbia into the conflict, but the country adheres consistently to its policy. Serbia, a traditional ally of Russia, is one of the few European countries that has not joined western sanctions against Moscow. However, Serbia has backed several UN resolutions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, even though it aspires to join the EU.
The allegations have caused concern as they could affect Serbia’s diplomatic relations with both Russia and Ukraine. However, the Serbian government’s response suggests that they are committed to maintaining neutrality and avoiding involvement in the conflict.
In conclusion, Serbia has denied allegations made in a leaked Pentagon report that it agreed to supply arms to Ukraine. President Aleksandar Vučić and Defence Minister Milos Vucevic both stated that Serbia has not and will not export weapons or ammunition to either Ukraine or Russia. While Serbia is a traditional ally of Russia and has not joined western sanctions against Moscow, it has backed several UN resolutions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. These allegations have raised concerns about Serbia’s diplomatic relations with both Russia and Ukraine, but the government’s response suggests that the country is committed to maintaining neutrality and avoiding involvement in the conflict. The situation highlights the complexities of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia and its wider geopolitical implications for countries in the region.
