Photo: Aksveer, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia CommonsSeptember 2024.
As part of the program Regional Initiative for combating disinformation “Western Balkans Combatting disinformation Center: Exposing malicious influences through fact-checking and Analytical Journalism“,we present you a new analysis of fake news and disinformation narratives.
By purchasing the Rafale, Vučić’s treacherous regime is integrating Serbia into NATO
On August 29, 2024, it was announced that Serbia ordered 12 new Rafale fighter jets from the French manufacturer Dassault Aviation for 2.7 billion euros, during the signing of the contract in Belgrade. According to Radio Free Europe, with this purchase, Serbia became the first country outside the NATO alliance and the ninth country in the world to acquire French Rafale fighter jets.
The agreement between France and Serbia was reached during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the Palace of Serbia, where he and Aleksandar Vučić discussed important political issues and the strategic direction of cooperation between the two countries. During their conversation, the President of Serbia emphasized that France is a traditional friend of Serbia, while Macron stated that he believes Serbia definitely has a place in the European Union. A number of bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries, which, along with officials’ statements, further fueled existing anti-Western narratives, particularly regarding military matters such as arming.
An article on the portal Srbin.info argues that the purchase of French fighter jets – Rafales – represents “Vučić’s integration of Serbia into the criminal, terrorist, and occupying NATO pact, marking a fatal departure from the lasting centuries protection of Russia.” The text is authored by Milan Gajović, a member of the Socialist People’s Party of Montenegro, who frequently expresses his allegiance to Russia. The news opens with the sensationalist statement, “We love France—as she bombed us.”
It has become common for pro-regime and pro-Russian portals to resurrect topics about events and conflicts from the 1990s, especially when any cooperation between Serbia and Western countries is mentioned. However, these discussions typically lack evidence. Rather than engaging in analytical and grounded discussions, many analysts focus on historical segments to propagate anti-Western narratives or conspiracy theories. The author of this article claims that “the dynamics of aircraft deliveries are still unknown,” adding that “insiders estimate that Serbia will receive the missiles only after ten years, with the first aircraft not expected until 2028 at the earliest.” However, the article does not identify these “insiders,” suggesting that this information is disinformation aimed at provoking hostility toward France.
The article further claims that the purchase of the jets will lead to Serbia being “blackmailed with prior consent to the full independence of Kosovo” and the abolition of Republika Srpska. “Emissaries of the Western satanic rulers from the shadows and the greatest enemies of the Serbian and Russian people installed Vučić in power to hand over Kosovo and Metohija to them, to persist in the Euro-NATO path of dismemberment of Serbia, and to sever all contractual and traditional ties between Russia and Serbia,” Gajović adds for Srbin.info.
Although the author insists on Serbia’s Euro-Atlantic path, the fact remains that Serbia has not declared this strategic approach in any official document. In fact, back in 2007, Serbia’s Presentation document regarding its future participation in the Partnership for Peace omitted any mention of NATO integration as a goal. By the end of that same year, this stance was elevated when Article 6 of the National Assembly’s Resolution on the Protection of Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, and Constitutional Order of the Republic of Serbia declared military neutrality in relation to existing military alliances.
Moreover, it is important to note that purchasing weapons from a NATO member state cannot be equated with aspirations for Serbia’s integration into NATO. Additionally, hypothetical integration would not even be possible until the issue of Kosovo is resolved. While domestic and pro-Russian media often overlook Serbia’s cooperation with NATO, Serbia actually holds the status of an advanced partner of the North Atlantic Alliance. However, it is crucial to emphasize that Serbia is not an official candidate for membership and has not yet expressed a desire for Euro-Atlantic integration.
Author: Nataša Stanojević
