Gervailla: We need NATO protection, we don't know how a person like Putin will react if he fails in Ukraine

Kosovo Foreign Minister Donika Gervala in an interview for Kosovo “Wener Zeitung” On Thursday, it has said that Kosovo needs NATO protection, as Bosnia and Herzegovina needs.

She has added that part of Russia's President Vladimir Putin's plan is to destabilise the Western Balkans through Russia.

Gervala has called for the West not to react late as in the case of Ukraine.

“In the states of the former Yugoslavia there has been a survey under which support for the EU in Serbia was below 50 percent. In Kosovo, on the other hand, it has exceeded 90 per cent. Likewise was support for NATO. That means, the will to unite is great. We need NATO protection. For Kosovo it would be important, but also for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We do not know how a person like Vladimir Putin will react when he does not see progress in Ukraine. Will it destabilize the Balkans? If so, how? Part of Putin's plan is to use Serbia to destabilise the region, it will continue with that, regardless of whether we approach it NATO or not. Ukraine has told us that despite the Western reaction, Putin will continue with his plans. Now we can hear from EU states the words: If we were to take Ukraine seriously, we would have reacted earlier ... Even voices from Southeast Europe, calling for more attention to the region, were not heard for a long time”, Gervala said. “As foreign minister I can only insist that the message be received. I cannot force friendly states to do anything, but our task is to explain the situation in the Balkans and stress that it is not late and that it is still possible to recognise Kosovo and membership it in NATO”.

Gervalla has said that given the geopolitical situation in Europe created after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is time for Kosovo to be recognised by the five non-recognitional EU states and also to approach NATO and become a member of the Council of Europe.

We are specific in our demands. Given the new geopolitical situation in Europe, Kosovo must be recognised by five EU member states that have not recognised it so far. Kosovo should approach NATO and eventually become a member of the Council of Europe as well. That's why we need support. When the five EU states -- Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Greece and Cyprus -- recognise Kosovo, then the signal will be sent that the Balkan borders are clear no one can swing anymore. It would be an important contribution to peace and stability in the region”, Gervalla said. /Full text in time.