The foreign minister of Kosovo has compared Serbia’s troop deployment on the border with Kosovo to Russia’s behavior towards Ukraine before its invasion. She called on the European Union to take action against Serbia, such as freezing its candidacy status. The United States has expressed concern about the Serbian military build-up along the Kosovo frontier, which is destabilizing the area. NATO has authorized additional peacekeeping forces for Kosovo.
Kosovar Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that there has never been such a concentration of troops in recent years. She expressed concern over the weaponry and tanks present, as it is unknown how the international community will respond. Gervalla-Schwarz also highlighted that it is not only the concentration of troops but also Serbia’s rhetoric and methods that resemble Russian behavior towards Ukraine. She emphasized the need for necessary action.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that he does not intend to order his forces to cross the border into Kosovo, as escalation would harm Belgrade’s aspirations to join the EU. Tensions have escalated between Serbia and Kosovo since a recent battle between police and armed ethnic Serbs in a monastery turned a quiet village in northern Kosovo into a virtual war zone.
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, accuses Serbia of arming and supporting the Serb fighters. On the other hand, Serbia accuses Kosovo of precipitating violence by not implementing a decade-old EU-brokered deal that would provide local autonomy for Serbs in a majority Serbian area in the country’s north.
Gervalla-Schwarz warned that Serbian President Vucic will not stop his actions unless clear consequences are imposed. This could include suspending EU funds for Serbia and its membership candidacy status. The situation remains tense and uncertain.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
