VLADIVOSTOK, Russia: Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on Wednesday during an economic forum.
This meeting comes nearly a week after Serbia signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to acquire 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, aimed at modernizing its air force by replacing aging Soviet-era aircraft.
Serbia maintains historically strong ties with Russia and is one of the few European nations that has not imposed sanctions on Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of his meeting with Putin, Vulin stated that the arms deal with France was made for “military and practical reasons” and would not negatively affect Serbia-Russia relations.
Vulin, known for his pro-Kremlin stance, faced U.S. sanctions in 2023 over alleged corruption during his time as Serbia’s intelligence chief, a role he left in November 2023.
