Serbia is not as neutral on Ukraine as it claims  

Serbia is much closer to Ukraine compared to some other countries, who think that by imposing sanctions on Russia they have done enough for Ukraine and its people, writes Orhan Dragaš.

Dr. Orhan Dragaš is the founder and director of the International Security Institute based in Belgrade.

The news that Serbia sent Ukraine financial aid of €30.2 million in March did not provoke much interest in either country.

Several Ukrainian news outlets reported this confirmation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance, pointing out that it was “noteworthy” that the aid came from a country maintaining economic ties with Russia, and did not join the EU’s economic sanctions against Moscow.

Is this friendly transaction between two governments worthy of media attention?

The latest financial support for Ukraine is not small for Serbia. It is equal to the annual budget of one of its medium-sized cities of about 60,000 inhabitants.

It is also not unprecedented. Serbia provided €3 million to Ukraine to help vulnerable children and another €1.5 million for displaced people, just a few months after Russia started its aggression on Ukraine.

Along with the financial packages Serbia sent material aid, medical vehicles, electric generators, water purification plants, and other humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Serbia is not part of the international coalition that supplies Ukraine with weapons and military materials.

It has proclaimed neutrality regarding the conflict, and its authorities repeat that Serbia does not supply weapons to any parties. However, there are trusted sources that say Serbia delivers weapons to Ukraine through intermediary countries.

Last year Reuters published parts of a classified document from the US Military, according to which Serbia agreed to supply arms to Kyiv or has sent them already.

In the meantime, videos on (primarily Russian) social media accounts, mostly of artillery ammunition with labels of Serbian manufacturers allegedly used by the Ukrainian army, appear occasionally.

However, Serbia’s most convincing support for Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression, is at the political level, even though it is often overlooked.

Stereotypes about Serbia as Russia’s ally and therefore Ukraine’s adversary are too often resorted to because it is easier and more efficient that way.

Since the first resolution of the UN General Assembly in March 2022, Serbia has consistently been among the countries that have condemned Russia’s aggression and demanded its immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.

It supported four UN resolutions including the one condemning Russia’s annexation of four eastern regions of Ukraine in October 2022. This was a big surprise for many, that Serbia also voted for the exclusion of Russia from the UN Human Rights Council in April 2022.

Serbia’s position in global forums regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine is identical to the one it has in regional organisations.

Last February, together with nine other countries in Southeast Europe, Serbia signed a declaration stating that Russian aggression against Ukraine was a flagrant violation of international law and the greatest threat to European security.

Then, at a summit in Tirana in February 2024 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leaders in the region pledged to continue supporting Ukraine until its victory.

“I don’t understand people (in Serbia) who express anti-Ukraine sentiments. I understand their position on Russia. Ukraine has never done anything against Serbia. They are our Slavic brothers and we try to have good relations,” said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Tirana.

During last year his meetings with Zelenskyy have been frequent, and both consider them significant and friendly.

“I noted the importance of Serbia’s participation in the implementation of the Peace Formula,” stated Zelenskyy after their meeting in February. 

He thanked Serbia for its support of Ukrainian sovereignty, the aid it provided, and the acceptance of Ukrainian refugees.

Belgrade has not imposed economic sanctions on Russia, a decision taken at the very start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

It was pointed out however that it could change this decision when it affected its economic and political interests.

This aspect of the lack of sanctions has been at the centre of the usual portrayal of Serbia’s position towards Russian aggression against Ukraine for too long, with no justification.

But for Zelenskyy, it is not a problem to maintain a constant and solid partnership and communication with Vučić.

Serbia’s political, humanitarian, financial, and quite possibly military support for Ukraine is continuous and not at all symbolic, and as such, it has long since put aside the fact that Serbia has not imposed economic sanctions on Russia.

Those who have a problem are in Moscow. Though, the Kremlin in its official statements continues to characterise Serbian President Vučić as the leader of a friendly nation and a representative of partnership policy towards Russia.

Its propaganda channels often attack him as an insincere partner, completely turned towards the West, and thus Ukraine.

In the latest offensive review, Russian media described Vučić’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris earlier this week as humiliating.

“He came to Paris to beg and did not have the strength to stand up to the head of the Élysée Palace,” the Russian Gazette wrote about the Serbian-French summit.

The problem for Moscow is that the last meeting between Vučić and Macron will result in the purchase of 12 French Rafale fighter jets.

This represents Serbia’s final strategic shift away from the traditional attachment to Russian weapons inherited from the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.

Serbia and Ukraine do not have any problems with their mutual relations. These relations are several levels higher than an ordinary partnership.

The majority of Serbian citizens are on the side of Russia on an emotional level, even when it invades the friendly people of Ukraine.

This is a factor that no Serbian leader, not even Vučić, could ignore when creating policies regarding this conflict.

But a closer look is needed. Serbia is much closer to Ukraine than some other countries, that think that by imposing sanctions on Russia, believe they have done enough for Ukraine and its people.