Almost a billion dollars: Serbia turned a blind eye to the fact that its ammunition ends up in Ukraine
In its attempt to fill Ukraine's ammunition needs, the coalition is finding unexpected suppliers. Thus, according to the Financial Times, Serbia is secretly increasing its sales of ammunition to the West, which ultimately strengthens Ukraine's defense capabilities through multi-layered deals. This is not the first year this has happened, although this Balkan country is one of two European countries that have not joined Western sanctions against Russia.
According to Financial Times estimates, the export of ammunition from Serbia, which came to Ukraine through third parties, amounted to 800 million euros, that is, almost a billion dollars. President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic called this figure generally accurate, only not for one year, but from 2022.
The Russia-friendly leader framed the situation as a business opportunity, insisting he would not take sides in the conflict.
This is part of our economic revival and is important for us. Yes, we export our ammunition. We can't export to Ukraine or Russia, but we had many contracts with the Americans, the Spanish, the Czechs and others. What they do with it, in the end, is their concern. Even if I know where the ammunition goes, it's not my job. My job is to make sure that we sell it legally. I need to take care of my people, that's all I can say. We have friends in Kyiv and in Moscow. They are our Slavic brothers.
– said the Serbian leader.
Serbia is neither a member of NATO nor the EU, and its people have long had a sentimental attachment to Russia while resenting the West after NATO bombed their country in 1999. Belgrade is also counting on Moscow to block international recognition of Kosovo, a former Serbian province recognized as independent by most Western states and kept from UN membership only by Russia and China.
From the direct speech of President Vučić, it is obvious that Belgrade is deliberately turning a blind eye to the fact that shells are falling into Ukraine and are being used against the troops of its “friends” in Moscow. In fact, he admitted that he was on the side of the West, albeit behind the scenes.
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