Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow trusts Serbia is fully aware of the risks tied to supplying military-industrial goods to Kyiv.
According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, some of Serbia’s largest defense firms—including Jugoimport SDPR, Zenitprom, Krusik, Sofag, Rejer DTI, and Prvi Partizan—have allegedly been involved in sending arms to Ukraine.
In response, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied the allegations and invited Russian intelligence officials to come to Serbia and investigate the claims. Shortly afterward, Zakharova issued a statement interpreted by many as both a warning and a veiled threat.
“Putin is losing patience with those who call him ‘brother’ while working against him behind closed doors,” said Zdravko Ponos, leader of the Serbia Center (SRCE) party, in a comment to Danas. “What we’re seeing now is a hotter phase of the war in Ukraine, where both sides are racing to strengthen their positions before any sort of truce—possibly resembling a ’38th parallel’ scenario—takes shape. That pressure brings frustration.”
Ponos also noted the recent failed attempt by Patriarch Porfirije and Bishop Bulovic to smooth things over through discussions with Putin and Patriarch Kirill.
“The release of the video showing Porfirije’s appeal was a clear sign of what the hosts truly think about Vucic, his envoys, and the talk of brotherhood and a ‘flower revolution,’ all while Serbian-made 122 mm rockets and other munitions reach the Ukrainian front,” said Ponos.
He characterized Zakharova’s tone as a clear threat.
“It sounds like a warning to someone who made promises and didn’t deliver. This isn’t the first time, but it seems the Russians are running out of patience with Vucic. I wouldn’t be surprised if Moscow, just like Paris or other Western capitals, has sensitive files on him,” Ponos added.
He also noted the timing of a high-level CIA official’s recent visit to Belgrade. “It’s unlikely he came to help suppress a so-called ‘flower revolution,’” he concluded.
