18 minutes agoKFOR Commander: War in Ukraine increased tensions even in Kosovo
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The situation in Kosovo is currently calm. So stated KFOR Commander Major General Ferenc Kayari, who gives up duty tomorrow. During his 1-year term, there were many developments in the security field, such as the war in Ukraine or even the riots in the north on the night of July 31st. KFOR Commander in an interview KP, acknowledges [...]
KFOR Commander in an interview The KP, acknowledges that the war in Ukraine also increased tensions in Kosovo, but that these have now dropped significantly. According to him, there is no increased security threat to Kosovo because of developments in Ukraine.
I would say that when the war in Ukraine began at the end of February, there has been an apparent increase in tension in Kosovo as well. But I think this could have happened in many European countries, because it's been a very long time since we had a war in Europe. So, immediately after the beginning of the Russian occupation, we experienced some tensions in Kosovo, people were more afraid, but then these tensions calmed down and now we don't have this high level of tensions. As for security. KFOR monitors the situation throughout Kosovo and has not identified any added security threat to Kosovo because of the war in Ukraine. We have started this monitoring activity even before the war broke out in Ukraine, and I can confident that we have not identified any added threat to Kosovo, as regards this conflict in Ukraine”, Kayari said.
He says the overall security situation in Kosovo is stable, including Serb-dominated northern municipalities. In this part of the country, the night of July 31 has not been so quiet, as warning of reciprocity on the license plates caused roadblocks to rise and even men with guns to appear.
“would say that during the events on July 31st, there has been a tense period in northern municipalities. As everyone knows, several roadblocks were created in the area, and many people participated in these roadblocks. We received reports that there were people in the roadblocks with guns, which is a dangerous development, if we consider it from a security standpoint. I also have to say that because of the responsible behavior of both sides, this tense period has been successfully resolved. For all I know, there were no injuries from either side. Blocking the streets has been resolved for a relatively short time, because I think institutions in Kosovo and Kosovo Serb leaders have been able to negotiate, and we managed to find a solution. Within a day, these serious security threats were resolved and we gradually returned to the normal security situation in that area”, Kayari said.
