The American Embassy in Serbia reiterated on March 5 that it is concerned about the fact that Serbia is acquiring Russian military equipment and called on Belgrade to abandon transactions with Moscow that could trigger sanctions.
"We call on all our allies and partners to renounce transactions with Russia that risk triggering sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). We have repeatedly expressed concern about the procurement of Russian military equipment in Serbia, including the planned purchase of the Pancir system, with high government officials," the Embassy's response to Radio Free Europe (RSE) states.
It adds that the United States and Russia have very different visions for the future of the Western Balkans, and that Washington strongly supports Serbia's European path and its stated goal of membership in the European Union.
"Moscow actively opposes the Western integration of the region and seeks to prevent the resolution of ethnic tensions, marginalize the influence of the US and the EU, and slow down or prevent the countries of the Western Balkans from following their independent orientation," the Embassy's response states.
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, confirmed on March 4 that with the fourth delivery of parts of the Russian anti-aircraft (PVO) system "Pancir" the day before, the missile system that Serbia bought from Russia was completed.
"We completed our 'Pancir S1' system and we didn't hide it from anyone, as you know. We told it transparently even to those who are not looking forward to it," said Vučić at the press conference.
The "Pancir S1" artillery-missile anti-aircraft defense system is intended for the defense of objects from reconnaissance and action from the airspace, as well as for the protection of anti-aircraft defense units and other military equipment. Serbia bought one battery from Russia, which consists of six systems.
The systems were delivered to Serbia from Russia on four occasions - the first two systems were delivered on February 22, and the rest within ten days.
The new purchase of weapons and military equipment from Russia has caused concern in Brussels and Washington.
In a statement for the Voice of America (VOA) dated February 25, the spokesperson of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Peter Stano, stated that it is necessary for Serbia to harmonize its foreign policy with the policy of the European Union.
Possible sanctions against Serbia were mentioned for the first time in his statement from November 2019 by the special representative of the US Secretary of State for the Western Balkans, Matthew Palmer.
In December 2019, the President of Serbia announced that Serbia would stop buying weapons and said on that occasion that "additional reforms" of the army will be undertaken, which was later supported by the reduced defense budget for 2020, which was also adopted by the members of the Serbian Parliament. in December 2019
Serbia still expects the delivery of T-72 tanks and part of the "BRDM-2" armored vehicles, which it received as a donation from Russia, as well as four Russian-made MiG-29 fighters from Belarus that are currently being overhauled at the Baranovichi Air Force Base.
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