Serbian leader: Europe is seriously arming Ukraine

European countries are "seriously arming" Ukraine through joint military production projects and continued deliveries of military equipment, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated.

Speaking to Serbian journalists in Paris, Vučić said Ukraine had signed contracts for 16 Rafale fighter jets and for the joint European production of the Freya missile defence system, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

"Ukraine today signed a contract for 16 Rafale fighter jets, as well as an agreement on the joint European production of the Freya system. The Aster missiles intended for anti-ballistic defence — against cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, as we would say — will be developed under this system by eight European countries together with Kyiv,” he noted.

According to him, Ukraine also purchased SAMP/T air defence missile systems, a Franco-Italian air defence complex.

“In any case, the Ukrainians are seriously arming themselves. Europe is seriously arming them," the Serbian president added.

Vučić also warned that Europe faces economic difficulties because of low gas reserves and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and around the Strait of Hormuz.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov