Serbian president faces backlash but keeps strict ban on defence exports

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has affirmed that Belgrade will maintain its suspension on arms and munitions exports, despite mounting internal and external pressures, including threats of protests at defence enterprises.

“The defence ministry has accepted my order but five entities take part in this process and the National Security Council has issued a relevant order to the ministry of trade, which is the last to sign relevant documents, saying that munitions must not leave the country. This is a serious problem for us, because I have been under strong pressure both from inside the country and from abroad since last night,” Vučić told journalists, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

He emphasized that any future arms exports will require explicit authorization from the National Security Council. “From now on, we will sell munitions and weapons to any country only on the resolution of the National Security Council, absolutely transparently. Today, we have agreements only with Cyprus — their helicopters for our Noras (artillery systems), and with Azerbaijan. But these supplies will stay strictly in their territories, will not be redirected anywhere else,” Vučić explained.

The Serbian leader disclosed warnings of potential protests aimed at defence enterprises, signaling domestic opposition to the export suspension. “Since I said no, I received a warning that rallies will be organized at defence enterprises in July to show me that exports must continue because this about people’s wages,” he noted.

Vučić also pledged a comprehensive review of all existing contracts and the introduction of a stringent customer clearance system.

Addressing political tensions, Vučić accused his opponents of attempting to destabilize Serbia through foreign influence. “Some of them are reporting to the Americans and the British, others — to the Russians, but no one thinks about Serbia. All they want is to crush Aleksandar Vučić, who can side with only one party — Serbia,” he asserted. “Colossal pressure is being exerted: to allow one, two, five, ten, fifty batches because they have contracts.”

The Serbian defence ministry has formally confirmed the suspension of arms and military equipment exports in compliance with the President’s directive. Future export requests will require mandatory approval by the National Security Council, ending the previous practice where two ministers could jointly authorize shipments.

Vučić previously stated that Serbia had entirely halted ammunition exports, reserving all military products solely for the country’s armed forces. He underscored that exceptions would be strictly limited and subject to special authorization under the new regulatory framework.

By Vafa Guliyeva