Ukraine Received EUR 800 Million Worth Of Ammunition From Serbia Through Intermediaries - FT
Date
6/22/2024 7:19:22 PM
(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Serbia is increasing its sales of ammunition to the West, which subsequently finds its way to Ukraine through third countries. The amount of ammunition that Kyiv has received from Belgrade is approximately 800 million euros.
According to Ukrinform, this is stated in a financial Times article.
According to the publication, the amount of ammunition exports from Serbia that have entered Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion through third parties is approximately 800 million euros. This figure was confirmed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Vucic presented the situation with arms exports as a business opportunity, insisting that he would not take sides in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The Serbian leader stated that this is part of their economic revival and emphasized its importance. He mentioned that while they export ammunition, they cannot export to Ukraine or Russia. However, they have secured many contracts with the Americans, Spaniards, Czechs, and others.
He noted that even if he knew where the sold ammunition ended up, it was not his business.
Vucic said that his job is to ensure that they handle their ammunition legally and sell it appropriately. He emphasized his responsibility to take care of his people and noted that Serbia "has friends in Kyiv and Moscow".
Asked whether the EUR 800 million export figure was correct, he said it was not for one year, but "maybe for two or three years".
According to the president, Serbian weapons are cheaper than Western ones, so the scale of ammunition exports from Serbia could increase.
Serbia had a thriving military industry during the Cold War when it was part of Yugoslavia. The country produces ammunition according to Soviet standards, which is still used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
As Ukrinform reported, on 5 March last year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that his country had not transferred any Serbian weapons or ammunition to Ukraine or Russia.
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