02:33Serbia: 'There has never been an export' - FM denies reports Belgrade sent weapons to Ukraine
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic strongly denied claims that Serbia had sent weapons to Ukraine, during a press conference in Belgrade on Friday.
“I can claim without any doubt that Serbia does not export and does not give licenses for the export of weapons and military equipment to any country that we believe would, from an international point of view, be controversial and problematic,” the minister said.
“In this respect, there has never been an export of arms when it comes to Ukraine, since the beginning of this conflict in Ukraine, the war in Ukraine, nor has there been an export of arms to either side,” he added.
Dacic’s comments came after a series of unverified reports in Russian media and on Telegram claimed Serbia had delivered missiles to Ukraine via Slovakia and Turkey.
“I want to strongly deny what appeared in some media, that Serbia exports weapons to Ukraine. Of course, such thing could happen through third countries, which Serbia certainly cannot influence,” Dacic explained.
“What is important for us is that we know who is buying from us, who is the end user. That is verifiable and there are papers for that, these are not secret deals and has never been any permission issued that way."
A day earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Moscow had asked Belgrade for an official position regarding the reports of Serbian arms arriving in Ukraine.
Although Serbia has denounced Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it remains the only country in Europe to refrain from imposing sanctions against Russia, despite pressure from Brussels to do so.
02:33Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic strongly denied claims that Serbia had sent weapons to Ukraine, during a press conference in Belgrade on Friday.
“I can claim without any doubt that Serbia does not export and does not give licenses for the export of weapons and military equipment to any country that we believe would, from an international point of view, be controversial and problematic,” the minister said.
“In this respect, there has never been an export of arms when it comes to Ukraine, since the beginning of this conflict in Ukraine, the war in Ukraine, nor has there been an export of arms to either side,” he added.
Dacic’s comments came after a series of unverified reports in Russian media and on Telegram claimed Serbia had delivered missiles to Ukraine via Slovakia and Turkey.
“I want to strongly deny what appeared in some media, that Serbia exports weapons to Ukraine. Of course, such thing could happen through third countries, which Serbia certainly cannot influence,” Dacic explained.
“What is important for us is that we know who is buying from us, who is the end user. That is verifiable and there are papers for that, these are not secret deals and has never been any permission issued that way."
A day earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Moscow had asked Belgrade for an official position regarding the reports of Serbian arms arriving in Ukraine.
Although Serbia has denounced Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it remains the only country in Europe to refrain from imposing sanctions against Russia, despite pressure from Brussels to do so.