What Russia aims at in relation to Kosovo

Russia's propagandistic and disinforming war is affecting Kosovo. Aiming at Kosovo's most distorted reflection around the world, Russia clearly has taken on apparent momentum in building the worst view of Kosovo.

The main elements of this propaganding war of the Russian Federation in relation to Kosovo seem to be summed up at least:

Enlarging Kosovo's truth from abroad and in relation to other states; Kosovo's presentation as US and NATO-invased <x0). Strengthening mechanisms, besides satellites in the neighbourhood (in Serbia); Confusion for the stability of the state of Kosovo and for “The intention to portray Kosovo as “enctive criminal provisions”, as well as continued and aggressive accusations for the hidden US-EU “for the political radicalisation of Kosovo authorities”.

The various methods, including modern technology, are the tools used by Russian authorities to achieve its goals.

This way of functioning Russian propaganda and disinformation is not presentable. But it's precise and planned. In the Russian Federation's Foreign Policy concept ʹ approved by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin on November 30th 2016, it is said that the mechanisms of the soft-power “” show new efforts and methods of achieving Russian targets.

Russian Federation authorities through propagandistic interpretations about developments in Kosovo seem to be aimed at clearly increasing confusion about the stability of the state of Kosovo. It is not uncommon to note that Russian authorities present Kosovo citizenship as something completely temporary and that Kosovo's status will be the new issue in reports in the Balkans and beyond. For more, Russian authorities in the past two years find that they have intensively increased the explanation of developments in the Balkans in general and in Kosovo in particular.

Taking into account concrete actions especially related to the “Humanitarian Centre in Nis” and the attempt-to-plot of the state in Montenegro, as well as the informative propaganda fight against Kosovo and Kosovo truth, it can clearly be concluded that the Russian Federation aims to spread total confusion around Kosovo.

An exclusive case for the Russian Federation's propagandistic interpretations of Kosovo is also the comment through official communication of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the results of the June 11th elections in Kosovo, presenting these results as a “political resolution of authorities in Pristina, due to a silent agreement between the United States and the EU”.

Therefore, a comprehensive institutional approach and Kosovo society aimed at confronting Russia's propaganda fight against Kosovo is necessary and requires strategic clarification.

Also, full research is important to shed light on Russian influence in the region and Kosovo.

After all, the Russian Federation's influence in Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, has manifested either in terms of efforts to undermine the stability of some Western Balkan countries, or in their Euro-Atlantic or EU path. This argument is even more reliable, given the concept of Russian foreign policy, point C, which points out that Russia's <x0-political foreign policy activities will be aimed at meeting the following key objectives: To consolidate the position of the Russian Federation as a center of influence in today's”

Despite the fact that most of Kosovo's population, as well as Kosovo institutions, are clearly oriented towards the West, the institutions and activists of society in Kosovo should measure and determine the influence of the Russian Federation in general in Kosovo, with particular focus on communities, civil society, media and the economy. Such an approach is necessary to help Kosovo institutions in the decision-making process and in its efforts to remain uncomfortable and secure on its path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.