Reference News Network June 24 report, according to AFP June 23 report, Serbia announced on June 23 to stop all arms exports, in the context of Russia again criticizing Serbia's sale of weapons and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
According to the report, Serbian President Vucic said that arms exports (reported to be worth more than 1.6 billion US dollars in 2023) have been changed into national military reserves.
He told reporters, "We have now stopped all arms exports and handed them over to the army."
He also said, "We have not exported any arms. Everything has stopped. From now on, any arms exports must have a special decision."
The Serbian Ministry of Defense later confirmed the suspension of exports of "arms and military equipment produced in Serbia," and all exports require approval from the ministry and the National Security Council.
The report stated that both Israel and Iran are allies of Belgrade, as is Russia, and the suspension of arms exports indicates that Vucic is increasingly struggling to balance.
According to the report, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service once again criticized Serbia's arms exports, which ultimately helped Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service first claimed in May this year that several hundred million dollars worth of Serbian arms reached Kyiv indirectly through contracts with third countries.
Vucic told reporters that the export suspension would affect Serbian employment, but he also said, "Where should we export? I can't export to Asia, I can't export to Africa, I can't export to Europe, I can't export to the Americas." "Do you want us to export arms to Antarctica? Where? To whom?" (Translated by Yang Xinpeng)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7519479421160030739/
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