Russia accuses Serbia of betraying ally by supplying arms to Ukraine

On May 30, 2025, tensions between Russia and Serbia escalated when Russia publicly condemned Serbia for allegedly exporting arms to Ukraine, a move described as a betrayal by its traditional Slavic ally. This accusation came from Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, which claimed that Serbian defense enterprises had continued their supplies of ammunition to Ukraine despite Serbia's stated neutrality in the conflict. The exports were said to include Soviet-era-caliber ammunition utilized by Ukraine's defense forces, and allegations had been circulating since early 2023 regarding Serbia's defense industry's involvement with Ukrainian forces. Reports about these exports surfaced as early as March 2023, but the Russian foreign security service's reaction in late May 2025 raised eyebrows. It was not immediately clear what prompted Russia's sudden denunciation. The Serbian government, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, had previously denied any arms exports to Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic asserting that no such weaponry had been sent since the onset of the war in Ukraine. Vucic also claimed to have discussed arm exports with Russian President Vladimir Putin, hinting at the formation of a working group to examine how Serbian-made weapons were reaching Ukraine's frontlines. Beneath the diplomatic surface, Serbia has maintained a complex relationship with Russia while pursuing European Union membership. Despite facing pressure from the EU to halt arms exports to Ukraine and to adhere to Western sanctions against Russia, Serbia has resisted joining these sanctions and continued to foster its ties with Russia, particularly given its dependence on Russian energy supplies. Serbia's commitment to neutrality in the conflict was further undermined by President Vucic's attendance at Russia’s Victory Day parade in May 2023, an act that elicited disapproval from EU officials who viewed it as damaging to Serbia's EU aspirations. The latest statements from Russia emphasized that Serbia's actions were interpreted as facilitating anti-Russian efforts, with the Russian service claiming that the supply of arms was organized through disingenuous means such as fake documentation and intermediary countries. This situation reflected the broader geopolitical tensions in Europe, where Serbia’s actions have drawn criticism from both Western powers and Russia, each asserting various claims regarding Serbia's loyalties and alliances.