In the Wake of Vucic’s Washington Visit: Russia’s Ministry of Defense to Open Offices in Belgrade

Mig-29 Jet

Russia has initiated the opening of an office of its Ministry of Defense in Belgrade, and while the plan might improve the Belgrade-Moscow relationship somewhat, it can hardly enhance Russia’s position in Serbia and the region at large. To all appearances, Russia has come to a rational and accurate conclusion that at this point there is little it can do to reverse the processes widening the political gap between the two states, and bringing Serbia closer to the West, but what it can do is to maintain close bilateral ties in the defense sector. The cooperation is necessary for Serbia, too, because the Serbian army traditionally relies on Soviet and Russian weaponry, and a decision to sever the ties in the sector would make it impossible for Serbia to continue to use it.