Elena Panina, a prominent member of the United Russia party and former deputy speaker of the State Duma, shared on her Telegram channel that France will deduct $390 million from a total of $3 billion for the delivery of 36 Russian-produced MiG-29 fighters to Paris.
Russian officials claimed Serbia would hand over 36 MiG-29s, later sent to Kyiv, though Serbia only operates 14.
“The planes [MiG-29] will be handed over to the French in December, after which they will be sent to Ukraine. Moscow has already been informed of this aspect of the agreement,” Panina writes. She adds that “it is unlikely that Belgrade would have received permission from the Russian authorities for this action.” Panina is convinced that everything has already been agreed upon and notes that “this is not the first time Serbian weapons have been delivered to Kyiv.”
“Ukraine received 800 million euros worth of ammunition from Serbia via an intermediary. This situation begs the question: To which nations can Russia safely sell weapons without fearing they might one day be turned against us?” Panina pondered.
Serbia agreed to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation to replace its MiG-29 fleet, in a deal which French President Emmanuel Macron called a strategic change for the Balkan country that maintains ties with Russia and China.
The contract for nine single-seater Rafales and three two-seaters is worth €2.7 billion (US$3 billion), according to French media, citing Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The purchase price includes an auxiliary logistics package, spare engines and parts, Vucic said at a press conference, Reuters reported.
Macron hailed Serbia’s choice of Rafale as positive for Europe, seeking to stave off criticism over France selling a highly capable fighter to a non-NATO member and Russia ally that doesn’t recognize the independence of neighboring Kosovo. The country has typically relied on Russia and more recently China for much of its military equipment.
“It’s great news because it’s a change, and in so doing, it contributes to peace in Europe,” Macron said. “Serbia has other partners, a history of these partnerships, but it’s an opening, a strategic change, despite a lot of pressure. It’s real strategic courage and an opportunity for Europe.”
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