Vucic: We want S-300 on agenda of meeting with Putin
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has arrived in Moscow where he will this Monday meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug
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(Tanjug, file)
Vucic arrived in Moscow late on Sunday and said his meeting with Putin was of exceptional political, economic and overall significance for Serbia.
"I feel proud when I represent the interests of my nation in such meetings," Vucic told Serbia's state broadcaster RTS.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that the meeting would take place, without revealing further details of the meeting, Beta is reproting.
Vucic's delegation includes Serbian ministers of defense and labor Zoran Djordjevic and Aleksandar Vulin.
Vucic said that the topics in the Kremlin today would include military and technical cooperation in the arms industry, and cooperation in tourism.
The prime minister said that he would have "a private conversation" with Putin, and that the Serbian delegation will have a separate meeting with Russian government representatives.
"Our first topic is economic cooperation, following a drop in the ruble exchange rate, oil and gas prices, and a fall in the Serbian-Russian trade. We will discuss fruit and vegetable processing, the Agrokor company, soon to be taken over by Sberbank, cooperation in the arms industry, where Serbia has been using the KAMAZ chassis," the prime minister said.
Vucic also said that military and technical cooperation between the two states would be discussed during the visit as well.
"We expect a portion of that cooperation to be finalized soon. It is not only the policing of the sky that we need, which is why we will talk about the procurement of anti-aircraft systems, probably the BUK (air defense) system," Vucic explained.
During Vucic's unofficial visit to Moscow late last year, when he spoke with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the delivery of six MiG-29 aircraft, 30 tanks and other armored vehicles was agreed.
Vucic at the time announced the imminent signing of the agreement, but so far, according to the Serbian and Russian sides, that did not happen, Beta has reported.
When asked "when the six MiGs and the 60 armored vehicles would arrive in Serbia," Vucic told RTS that this depended on whether Putin would signed a decree on military-technical cooperation, "which is a more favorable option for us than a decree on a gift."
He stressed that Serbia "does not intend to go to war and attack, but only protects its territory."
"Several times I promised that we need to protect our skies and protect our territory. Our people do not have to worry," Vucic said, stressing that "no one will be able to attack our country or our people."
Vucic said that "our idea is to also talk about (Russian air defense) S-300 systems - which is also a defensive weapon."
According to him, the frequent meetings with Russian officials indicate that Serbia and Russia have good relations that are being further improved.
"We are making an effort to find new models for establishing multiple forms of cooperation with Russia," he said
Vucic also reiterated that Serbia will not impose sanctions on Russia and does not want to belong to any military bloc.
"Military-technical, and cultural cooperation"
Vucic announced earlier that he would speak with Putin about economic cooperation between the two countries and "the possible arrival of a Russian company, which would produce different types of the machinery Serbia."
Noting that the two countries have excellent political relations, Vucic pointed to the fact that the president of Russia was "largely focused on economic issues and has already come up with some ideas, especially in terms of strengthening the pharmaceutical industry."
As Vucic said, "Putin will in May to present a comprehensive plan and program of Russia's exit from the crisis, and a growth program, which is interesting for our country."
Serbian and Russian delegations will also speak about "military-technical and cultural cooperation," Vucic said.
Vucic's previous meeting with Putin was in May 2016, shortly after Serbia's early parliamentary elections. Vucic was PM-designate at the time.
He traveled to Moscow on Monday as the ruling coalition's candidate in the April 2 presidential election.
Since the scheduling of the election, Vucic also traveled to Berlin where he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
I think you are rather over enamoured of the current Czar of Russia. Democracy depends on having a lively opposition to give people choice and hold governments to account. Putin does the dictator's trick of stomping on opposition, and for that reason he has lost my respect. I'd rather he'd win honestly.
(Bob, 28 March 2017 07:33)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Ivan,
It will be impossible for Russia to send weapons to Serbia. NATO countries surround Serbia and will block all air or ground transportation to Serbia. Putin's only alternative is to dig a tunnel from Russia to Serbia. Ha, ha, ha.
(US Special Forces, 28 March 2017 05:26)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Nukes - hahahaha ok use it on who?
SAM 300 - Use it on who?
Mig makes sense.
You must be dreaming you wont be able to get nukes i will guarantee that.
S300 is really not needed as all you will do is protect from few missals nothing more, who will attack Serbia?
If you say NATO then you know that few S300 wont do anything.
But hey do as you please with your Tax Dinars.
(Bilbao, 28 March 2017 00:13)
Oh no - you take yourself seriously!
(Bob, 27 March 2017 17:57)
OK Bob ! Wanna fu*ck - we have such a service.
Give me links where the artillery strikes on Donbass are condembed or where the promised cooperation in Syria is discussed or where the US air strike that killed 200 in Mosul is discussed, or where the German plans to buy the Ukrainian black ground at 0,01% price is talked about, or where Europe condemns the baccanalia with the Russian banks in Ukraine or where WATA terror against Russia is disputed ...
(rote, 27 March 2017 18:24)
Vote for freedom of the Russian press.
(Bob, 27 March 2017 16:48)
It's a discussional issue where there's more freedom of press. I think here we have an advantage though both sides manipulate from time to time. Navalny is a sold out pederast living on western money. 1% of moscovites makes 130 000 while he managed to collect only 8 000. NGO people have no chance in this country.
(rote, 27 March 2017 17:39)
It would be nice to see that Srbija introduce Russian Civil leaders into Serbian political family ! Why not, Srbija put non Serb anti Christ Croatian Josip Broz Tito on the throne in 1945 ? How about Romania right next door, they have a German as their president ! In my opinion Srbija needs more Russian influence, more Russian mentality and wisdom to survive the future. God Bless you Czar Vlade, the Christian Slavic Eastern Orthodox world pretty much in your hands !!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 27 March 2017 14:56)
Once in month this man smooth his tongue, before licking once US, once Germany, once Russia….
And then,, came victorious in Serbia..
And what is more funny? Serbs blame others like bootlickers
(Joni, 27 March 2017 14:15)
Vucic is once again counting on friends in politics, and that doesn't exist, so Putin will only do it if Vucic is his puppet, which I don't think is the case.
Why would Putin give a weapon system to a man he doesn't fully trust? So he would just pass it on to Putin's enemies?
(Vojvodina, 27 March 2017 11:40)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
It would be nice to see that Srbija introduce Russian Civil leaders into Serbian political family ! Why not, Srbija put non Serb anti Christ Croatian Josip Broz Tito on the throne in 1945 ? How about Romania right next door, they have a German as their president ! In my opinion Srbija needs more Russian influence, more Russian mentality and wisdom to survive the future. God Bless you Czar Vlade, the Christian Slavic Eastern Orthodox world pretty much in your hands !!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 27 March 2017 14:56)
Once in month this man smooth his tongue, before licking once US, once Germany, once Russia….
And then,, came victorious in Serbia..
And what is more funny? Serbs blame others like bootlickers
(Joni, 27 March 2017 14:15)
Vucic is once again counting on friends in politics, and that doesn't exist, so Putin will only do it if Vucic is his puppet, which I don't think is the case.
Why would Putin give a weapon system to a man he doesn't fully trust? So he would just pass it on to Putin's enemies?
(Vojvodina, 27 March 2017 11:40)
Oh no - you take yourself seriously!
(Bob, 27 March 2017 17:57)
OK Bob ! Wanna fu*ck - we have such a service.
Give me links where the artillery strikes on Donbass are condembed or where the promised cooperation in Syria is discussed or where the US air strike that killed 200 in Mosul is discussed, or where the German plans to buy the Ukrainian black ground at 0,01% price is talked about, or where Europe condemns the baccanalia with the Russian banks in Ukraine or where WATA terror against Russia is disputed ...
(rote, 27 March 2017 18:24)
Vote for freedom of the Russian press.
(Bob, 27 March 2017 16:48)
It's a discussional issue where there's more freedom of press. I think here we have an advantage though both sides manipulate from time to time. Navalny is a sold out pederast living on western money. 1% of moscovites makes 130 000 while he managed to collect only 8 000. NGO people have no chance in this country.
(rote, 27 March 2017 17:39)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Ivan,
It will be impossible for Russia to send weapons to Serbia. NATO countries surround Serbia and will block all air or ground transportation to Serbia. Putin's only alternative is to dig a tunnel from Russia to Serbia. Ha, ha, ha.
(US Special Forces, 28 March 2017 05:26)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Nukes - hahahaha ok use it on who?
SAM 300 - Use it on who?
Mig makes sense.
You must be dreaming you wont be able to get nukes i will guarantee that.
S300 is really not needed as all you will do is protect from few missals nothing more, who will attack Serbia?
If you say NATO then you know that few S300 wont do anything.
But hey do as you please with your Tax Dinars.
(Bilbao, 28 March 2017 00:13)
I think you are rather over enamoured of the current Czar of Russia. Democracy depends on having a lively opposition to give people choice and hold governments to account. Putin does the dictator's trick of stomping on opposition, and for that reason he has lost my respect. I'd rather he'd win honestly.
(Bob, 28 March 2017 07:33)
Vucic is once again counting on friends in politics, and that doesn't exist, so Putin will only do it if Vucic is his puppet, which I don't think is the case.
Why would Putin give a weapon system to a man he doesn't fully trust? So he would just pass it on to Putin's enemies?
(Vojvodina, 27 March 2017 11:40)
Once in month this man smooth his tongue, before licking once US, once Germany, once Russia….
And then,, came victorious in Serbia..
And what is more funny? Serbs blame others like bootlickers
(Joni, 27 March 2017 14:15)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Vote for freedom of the Russian press.
(Bob, 27 March 2017 16:48)
It's a discussional issue where there's more freedom of press. I think here we have an advantage though both sides manipulate from time to time. Navalny is a sold out pederast living on western money. 1% of moscovites makes 130 000 while he managed to collect only 8 000. NGO people have no chance in this country.
(rote, 27 March 2017 17:39)
It would be nice to see that Srbija introduce Russian Civil leaders into Serbian political family ! Why not, Srbija put non Serb anti Christ Croatian Josip Broz Tito on the throne in 1945 ? How about Romania right next door, they have a German as their president ! In my opinion Srbija needs more Russian influence, more Russian mentality and wisdom to survive the future. God Bless you Czar Vlade, the Christian Slavic Eastern Orthodox world pretty much in your hands !!!
(Dragoljub Djurkovic, 27 March 2017 14:56)
Oh no - you take yourself seriously!
(Bob, 27 March 2017 17:57)
OK Bob ! Wanna fu*ck - we have such a service.
Give me links where the artillery strikes on Donbass are condembed or where the promised cooperation in Syria is discussed or where the US air strike that killed 200 in Mosul is discussed, or where the German plans to buy the Ukrainian black ground at 0,01% price is talked about, or where Europe condemns the baccanalia with the Russian banks in Ukraine or where WATA terror against Russia is disputed ...
(rote, 27 March 2017 18:24)
I think you are rather over enamoured of the current Czar of Russia. Democracy depends on having a lively opposition to give people choice and hold governments to account. Putin does the dictator's trick of stomping on opposition, and for that reason he has lost my respect. I'd rather he'd win honestly.
(Bob, 28 March 2017 07:33)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Ivan,
It will be impossible for Russia to send weapons to Serbia. NATO countries surround Serbia and will block all air or ground transportation to Serbia. Putin's only alternative is to dig a tunnel from Russia to Serbia. Ha, ha, ha.
(US Special Forces, 28 March 2017 05:26)
I hope Uncle Vlad will send Vucic some early Christmas gifts like more MiGs, SAM-300's, and perhaps some nukes. Hell knows it's about time.
(ivan, 25 March 2017 02:08)
Nukes - hahahaha ok use it on who?
SAM 300 - Use it on who?
Mig makes sense.
You must be dreaming you wont be able to get nukes i will guarantee that.
S300 is really not needed as all you will do is protect from few missals nothing more, who will attack Serbia?
If you say NATO then you know that few S300 wont do anything.
But hey do as you please with your Tax Dinars.
(Bilbao, 28 March 2017 00:13)