The US ambassador to Serbia informed President Aleksandar Vučić on Thursday that the US had received Kosovo's request to purchase Javelin anti-tank missiles, who expressed his “deep disappointment”.
The U.S. State Department announced late Thursday that it had approved the potential sale of 246 missiles and related equipment to Kosovo for an estimated $75 million.
The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs said, “This proposed sale supports U.S. foreign policy objectives and national security by improving the security of our European partners, who are an important force for Europe's political and economic stability.'' “It will be.” .
Kosovo to record Serbian war crimes with specialized agency for 1998 conflict
A statement from Vucic's office said U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill told him that the U.S. State Department would forward Kosovo's request to Congress, which reviews foreign arms sales.
Kosovo is a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. The United States and most Western countries recognize Kosovo's statehood, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not.
Soldiers train at Batajnica military airport near Belgrade, Serbia, on October 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)
“For us, it is very important that peace in the region is not compromised and that Serbia continues to act responsibly and contribute to stability in the Balkans,” the Serbian president said.
The proposed sale of missile systems to Kosovo comes amid tensions in the region. In recent months, Serbia has moved troops to its border, which is guarded by NATO-led peacekeeping forces and the Kosovar army, in an act that Western countries have deemed hostile.
Vučić pointed out this month that Serbia had received “huge numbers” of tanks from Russia before the invasion of Ukraine, and claimed that Serbia had one of the most powerful militaries in the Balkans. He pledged to continue purchasing weapons such as anti-aircraft systems, fighter jets and drones from China and other countries.
The Javelin missile system is used by the Ukrainian military to destroy Russian tanks and other armored vehicles.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Kosovo has been building up its military with drones and anti-tank missiles, mainly from Turkey, angering Belgrade.
