Serbia has aborted multiple military contracts with Russia due to international sanctions against Moscow after it invaded Ukraine.
Serbian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Milan Mojsilovic confirmed Belgrade’s decision in an interview with local newspaper Novosti, saying that the move is driven by challenges in using weapons sourced from Russia since the Soviet era.
Mojsilovic added that the Balkan state had already established strategies to acquire military equipment from other partner countries, as most of the Russian capabilities are in use by international forces and parts also produced under license by several industries.
“When it comes to the delivery of weapons from the Russian Federation, it is practically impossible at the moment,” the Serbian defense official highlighted.
“We are trying to find a way to overcome the newly created situation through diplomatic channels. We terminated some contracts and postponed some in the hope that the situation in international relations at the global level will normalize and enable the implementation of contracts.”
Before Serbia’s latest announcement, Belgrade already abandoned a large military contract with Russia last year due to similar concerns, specifically the fighter jet deal that both countries had been discussing since 2021 to replace the Serbian Air Force’s aging MiG-29 Fulcrum fleet.
The Serbian Ministry of Defence instead went for a 2.7-billion-euro ($2.7-million) agreement with France for 12 Rafale aircraft in August 2024.
Neutrality Due to ‘Pressure’
In an update from Saint Petersburg-based news agency Lenta, Russian International Affairs First Deputy Chairman Vladimir Dzhabarov commented on Serbia’s resolution, noting that the South-Central European government’s “neutral” stance is rational considering the “constant pressure” from neighboring NATO members.
Currently, Serbia is among the few countries alongside Mexico and Brazil that have not imposed sanctions on Russia following the federation’s attack on Ukraine in 2022.
“The Serbs decide for themselves,” Dzhabarov stated. “I am sure that the Serbian people are one of the closest and most fraternal peoples for us. But there is politics, and politics, apparently, has its own considerations.”
“I understand that the President of Serbia…does not hide it, that he is surrounded by all NATO countries. He is under pressure, very strong pressure. Frankly speaking, he resists any attempts to draw him into the sanctions policy against our country.”
“But I think that this is not essential, because we have not had any special supplies now. If this is important in order to show the West that Serbia takes a neutral position, that is its right. But, as a rule, such things do not lead to anything anyway.”
