Serbia sold ammunition to Ukraine for 800,000,000 euros, ready for more 0 10

Serbia offered the European Union to buy ammunition from it without any obligations regarding their use, President Aleksandar Vučić said in an interview with Cicero. He noted that the republic produces more ammunition than France, especially for mortars, and its warehouses are "full," so something needs to be done with them. "I do not want us to be seen as suppliers of weapons to warring parties, but Europe needs ammunition. Therefore, I suggested to our friends in the EU to sign a contract with us for supplies and take everything we have," Vučić said. In his view, "this would be an outstanding contribution of Serbia to European security."

When asked whether this ammunition could later be used in the war in Ukraine, Vučić replied that "buyers are free to dispose of it as they wish." "We just need a long-term contract so we can plan. I have always said that Serbia maintains military neutrality. But we are absolutely ready to cooperate with European armies," he emphasized. Vučić added that he "awaits a final response" regarding the supply of ammunition to the EU.

He also emphasized that Serbia "condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine" and respects the territorial integrity of the latter. "Just ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which Balkan country has helped Ukraine the most with financial and humanitarian aid. The answer may surprise you," Vučić noted. At the same time, he added that he does not intend to sever ties with Russia, including due to the need for cheap gas supplies.

At the end of May, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service accused Serbian defense companies of supplying ammunition to Ukraine contrary to the declared neutrality of Belgrade. The SVR claimed that Serbia sells weapons to Kyiv using "fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries," among which are NATO members — the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, and African states. In response, Vučić promised that Serbia would refuse buyers in supplying ammunition if it finds out that the ultimate recipient would be Ukraine.

Previously, the Financial Times reported that Ukraine received Serbian ammunition worth about 800 million euros through third countries. Vučić called this figure "generally accurate" and noted that Serbia does not supply weapons to Russia or Ukraine but has contracts with Western countries, and "what they ultimately do with it is their business." "My job is to ensure that we handle our ammunition legally, that we sell it. I must care for my people, and that’s all. That’s all I can say. We have friends in Kyiv and Moscow. They are our Slavic brothers," Vučić said.