Kosovo leader warns Russian victory in Ukraine could threaten Balkan peace

PM Albin Kurti warns that a Russian victory in Ukraine could encourage Serbian expansionism, threatening 25 years of peace in the Balkans.

Oct 3, 2024 - 23:00

Kosovo leader warns Russian victory in Ukraine could threaten Balkan peace

kosovo leader warns russian victory ukraine could threaten balkan peace kosovo's prime minister albin kurti july 2022

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could threaten 25 years of peace in the Balkans by potentially encouraging Serbian expansionism. Speaking to The Associated Press on 3 October in Warsaw, Poland, he emphasized the importance of Western unity in supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression.

The relationship between Kosovo and Serbia remains strained, with EU-facilitated normalization talks failing to make progress over the past 13 years. Belgrade considers Kosovo its region, not recognizing its independence. In May, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz stated that Kosovo’s support for Ukraine is “unconditional,” despite Kyiv not recognizing its independence.

Kurti argued that a stronger Russia would embolden Serbia, potentially endangering not only Kosovo but also Bosnia, Montenegro, and “perhaps North Macedonia,” which he sees as potential targets of what he called Serbian expansionist ambitions.

The Kosovo Prime Minister stated,

“These 25 years in this century, this has been a quarter of a century with the highest degree of peace, freedom, and democracy in the Balkans.”

In March, Kosovo’s Defense Minister, Ejup Maqedonci, pledged two military aid packages to Ukraine during the Ramstein-20 meeting in Germany. The first was to be delivered within a week, including trucks, tactical and armored vehicles. The second batch was going to be focused on supplying mortar and artillery shells.

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