Is Russia fueling the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo? The government in Pristina says no. Nevertheless, the Serbian government is practicing threatening gestures towards the neighboring country, which it does not recognize as a state. Kosovo responds by sealing off the Merdare border crossing.
In the Balkans, the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo is escalating. After Serbia put the army on alert over rising tensions on Monday, Kosovo closed the largest border crossing with its neighbor. The NATO peacekeeping force KFOR stationed in Kosovo called on the parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and be willing to engage in dialogue. It is of the utmost importance that all parties involved avoid any rhetoric or actions that could create tension and escalate the situation.
The Federal Government is also very concerned, as the Foreign Office explained. Meanwhile, Russia has denied allegations that Kosovo is lobbying Serbia, which does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, to destabilize the region. Around 50,000 Serbs live in the north of the predominantly Albanian Kosovo. For years they have refused to recognize the government in Pristina and Kosovo as a state. The conflict has been smoldering for more than 20 years.
In 2008, with Western support, Kosovo declared its independence. This was preceded by a war in 1998 and 1999, in which NATO intervened to protect the ethnic Albanian population. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo said on Facebook that anyone traveling in Serbia would have to use other border crossings or enter the country via North Macedonia. Previously, on the Serbian side, demonstrators had blocked access to the affected Merdare crossing with trucks. They justified this with support for demonstrators from the ranks of the Serb minority in Kosovo, who refuse to recognize state independence.
Two other border crossings have been closed since December 10th. Only three crossings between Kosovo and Serbia are currently open. The blockade of Merdare has particularly serious consequences for Kosovo, as thousands of Kosovars working abroad who want to use the holidays to visit their homeland are forced to take detours. In addition, Merdare is the most important border crossing for trucks. Blockades must be removed quickly, said the Foreign Office in Berlin. In addition, the nationalist rhetoric from Serbia is absolutely unacceptable – “and the increase in military presence near the Serbian border with Kosovo sends a completely wrong signal,” said a foreign ministry spokesman. A constructive approach is expected.
Recent tensions in Kosovo sparked the arrest of a Serb police officer who was said to have attacked Kosovo police officers at a previous demonstration. The Serbian demonstrators are demanding his release. A court in Pristina ordered that he be released from custody and placed under house arrest. Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said President Aleksandar Vucic is in talks with the US, Italy, France, Germany and the UK to resolve the current dispute.
Meanwhile, Russia has denied allegations by the government in Pristina of influencing Serbia to fuel the conflict and destabilize Kosovo. As a sovereign state, Serbia only wants to protect the rights of the Serb minority in Kosovo, the President’s Office in Moscow said. Russia and Serbia have traditionally had close ties. Serbia also does not support the western sanctions against Russia because of the Ukraine war.
