The United States joined the hysteria over the supply of Russian armored vehicles to Serbia
The gratuitous transfer of a rather modest batch of Russian armored vehicles to the Serbian army caused nervous reaction not only of Albanian separatists in Kosovo, but also their American patrons.
“The delivery of Russian armored vehicles to Serbia is evidence of Russia's desire to create instability in the Balkans,” said Lt. Gen. Franklin Ben Hodges, former commander of U.S. Army Europe.
“It is more than obvious that they are not interested in helping Serbia and its neighbors find a peaceful solution to the problem,” the Serbian publication Informer quotes the American general.
According to him, Russia will do everything possible to prevent Serbia's integration into the EU, despite the wishes of "millions of Serbian citizens."
This past week, ten Russian armored personnel carriers, donated to the Serbian army, arrived in the city of Nis in the south of the country.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the welcoming ceremony for Russian armored vehicles
Their transport across the Danube River was initially blocked by Romania, a member of the European Union and NATO, due to EU sanctions imposed on Russia over the “annexation” of Crimea.
As it became known later, Russian equipment arrived in Serbia through Hungary, whose authorities explained their consent by saying that they were transported by civilian and not military aircraft.
“I hope that Hungary, an important member of NATO and the European Union, an organization founded on the ideals of liberal democracy, which it has greatly helped, will help Russia agree to fulfill the obligations that every responsible member of the international community must fulfill,” Hodges commented.
“Russia constantly violates international law in the Black Sea region. “Hungary can be a strong supporter of peace if it rejects the Russian Federation’s attempts to wedge itself between us,” the American general noted.
At the same time, NATO leadership previously officially stated that the Alliance fully respects the sovereign right of all states, including Serbia, to choose with whom to enter into political and security agreements.
It’s scary to imagine what kind of reaction will come from overseas “partners” - after all, another 20 similar BRDM-2 vehicles and 30 modernized T-72 tanks are waiting their turn for delivery to Serbia.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.