Serbia's Intelligence Chief, Aleksandar Vulin, Resigns After US Sanctions for Illegal Activities and Closer Ties with Russia

Vulin, sanctioned for ties with a US-sanctioned arms dealer and involvement in a drug ring, resigns less than a year into position to prevent further potential sanctions against Serbia, amid calls for his departure from monthslong anti-government protests.

• Aleksandar Vulin, the pro-Russian head of Serbia's intelligence agency, resigned under U.S. sanctions over his involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking, and misuse of public office.
• Vulin, who was a close associate of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, also advocated for closer ties with Russia and promoted the concept of a 'Serbian World' mirroring the 'Russian World' concept endorsed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• In his resignation statement, Vulin claimed he will not be a cause of pressure on Serbia, adding that he still believes in the unification of Serbs and creation of a 'Serbian world'.
• Vulin's resignation followed his visit to Moscow in August 2022, emphasizing Serbia's refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
• The resignation came amidst ongoing anti-government protests that have demanded his ouster, following two mass shootings in Serbia in May 2023 which claimed 17 lives.

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