What's going on in Kosovo?
Amid rising tensions in Kosovo, Nato is boosting its KFOR peacekeeping force which has been stationed there since 1999. Violence flared in the country after local elections held a month ago which were boycotted by a majority of the ethnic Serbs in the north, resulting in Kosovo Albanians being elected as mayors on very few votes. Without external help the tensions in the region will never calm down, commentators fear.
Security more important than independence
The decision to send extra KFOR troops is justified, says Le Temps:
“Since the end of the Kosovo War in 1999, this piece of land inhabited by a Serb minority has been the scene of all kind of tensions. Together with Bosnia it is a symbol of the inability to heal the wounds of the Yugoslav wars. These conflicts left a mark on an entire generation of Europeans long before the war against Ukraine. ... The US now seems determined to avoid any possible escalation by taking more control of security issues. This is undoubtedly good news for the region, even if it will certainly prolong the tutelage over Kosovo.”
A gift for Putin
This is a really bad time for the conflict to flare up from the West's point of view, Die Presse comments:
“Strategically, the Balkans are the soft southern flank of the EU and Nato. Not only China has been trying to expand its economic and political influence there for years. Russia in particular is trying to get in on the act. ... And the tensions in Kosovo are grist to the Russian president's mill. ... Now, as in the past, the strongest diplomatic tool in the region would be the prospect of joining the EU in the near future. But apparently that no longer works as well as it did a few years ago - neither in Belgrade nor in Pristina. Because it seems more like a promise from the world of dreams.”
Kurti must cede
De-escalation is the only option, De Volkskrant warns:
“Kosovo is not only the smouldering fuse in the powder keg of the Balkans, but also another divisive factor in the already tense international relations. Therefore the EU and Nato headquarters must now demonstrate the kind of cautious manoeuvring of which Prime Minister Albin Kurti has shown himself to be incapable. De-escalation is the only option. The shortest route to this destination is through the government of Kosovo, which is militarily and economically dependent on the West. ... There are opportunities there for the EU to step up the pressure. Getting Kurti to repeat the failed mayoral election should be the main goal.”
Politicians too focused on the short term
The prospects for long-term stabilisation do not look good, writes political scientist Stefan Wolff in The Conversation France:
“Of course the current situation calls for de-escalation measures on the part of the Kosovo authorities. But the deeper problems in the relations between Priština and Belgrade require a more comprehensive and inclusive solution, one that takes into account the interests of Kosovo, Serbia and the Kosovo Serbs. ... But such appeals to reason are unlikely to impress politicians from this part of the Western Balkans, who seem entirely focused on defending their personal and short-term interests. Consequently it is uncertain whether the West can exert the necessary influence.”
Constantly expecting a storm
The situation will not improve for people living in the country any time soon, comments Delo:
“People go to bed with their suitcases packed. ... They realised a long time ago that their lives are just a cheap chip in the geopolitical monopoly played by influential people somewhere far away. ... It doesn't matter whether they're majority Albanians, members of the Bosnian minority or Serbs, they don't lead a peaceful life like we enjoy in the EU. ... Members of the Nato peacekeeping force KFOR are taking care of the situation, which is not getting worse but unfortunately not getting better either. And every time the authorities in Belgrade face a serious challenge, the Serbs in northern Kosovo are made to feel the consequences.”
Status quo untenable in the long term
Europe has been too quick to put this conflict behind it, laments La Stampa:
“Wars marked by ethnic strife and a desire for revenge are never in a hurry to be consigned to the past. We, on the other hand, like to forget 'the details' - or at least what we would like to think of as such. We're in a hurry to move on to the next item on the agenda. Could it be that Kosovo was not a successful Nato operation? Does the alliance have nothing more better to do than get involved in petty Balkan squabbles? ... Maintaining the status quo, freezing sectarian resentments and vendettas: that is the course we have taken in this complicated and troubled part of the world. But unfortunately, the effectiveness of this approach is diminishing as time passes.”
A desperate situation
The Frankfurter Rundschau stresses that many parties share the blame for the unresolved conflict between Serbia and Kosovo:
“The power-hungry politicians in these countries, who skilfully promote resentment in order to serve their own interests. A disunited EU, a community of states that vacillates between hesitancy and naive credulity. And last but not least Russia, which wants to secure its own spheres of influence and profits from unrest in Europe. This is a combination that can drive one to despair because it obstructs so many possibilities. And because it could easily become dangerous.”
Kurti must display more finesse
The Kosovar prime minister should show more flexibility in asserting the rights of Kosovars, Večernji list admonishes:
“Kurti and his government have reason to be dissatisfied over the Western partners yielding to Vučić. But precisely because of this, Kurti must be cleverer and not convey the impression that he, as Kosovo's prime minister, is a bigger problem than Vučić. Or that Priština is providing a justification for an escalation of violence while Belgrade is apparently behaving constructively. Kosovo has long been warned about this trap, but this is now a highly dangerous situation in which Kurti's stubbornness could be very damaging for the peace and stability of the entire Western Balkans.”