Kurti: Russian military aggression in Kiev is genocide Kosovo can be next country, we need NATO membership as soon as possible

Kurti said the West should discern Russia's intention to commit genocide in Ukraine, while he says the Western Balkans could also face increased risk of military conflict because of the situation in Ukraine.

This Russian invasion, this military aggression is no longer political. It's genocide. There is a sense of genocide that results in logistical and demographic aspects. When I see what's happening in Kiev, it seems that this is another Sarajevo in preparation,” he added.

The Independent writes that after the invasion of Ukraine, Kurti fears that Kosovo could face an intermediate military conflict, as Russia exercises its political influence in Serbia.

His warnings came after a gathering of military forces on Kosovo's northern border late last year, including tanks produced in Russia and MiG fighter aircraft.

I think the Western Balkans are at even greater risk than the Baltic countries and Moldova, because there Russia would have divided some of its military force. In the case of the Western Balkans, he should not do so at all, because Serbia may be the added value of their military aggression. We would like to join NATO as soon as possible. ”

“also insists that NATO be much more vigilant than it already is. In Moscow we have a powerful leader who is reducing his escape routes. He is not a person who seems willing to make peace; rather, he will make efforts to expand the war. That's why we're in danger. ”

According to The Independent, Kosovo is unlikely to realise quick NATO membership, while more than 100 countries have recognised Kosovo as an independent state, the four NATO member states have not. The country is also not a UN member, as a result of Russian objections. Kurti has demanded that, at least, NATO forces consider increasing military presence in his country.

The Independent writes that Serbia has close ties with Russia and has conducted joint military exercises with this country in October last year. Russian News Agency T The ASS reported that Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq said the two countries held 96 joint exercises in 2019. Most of the country's weapons are imported from Russia, according to the CIA Worldwide Facebook.

According to British media, Kurti said that, since the end of last year, it seemed that Serbia, as the “authorised” of Russia, was “ready to attack” on the northern border with Kosovo. Serbian troops at the border were inspected by Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, along with senior Serbian politicians.

When you are dealing with the Russian Federation and its representatives in the Western Balkans, you may be shocked, but you may never be surprised, because all the time they give you evidence and no indicators for their future attack”, Kurti said.

Amid this escalation of a dispute on license plates, the EU and the US told Kosovo and Serbia to reduce tensions.

Kurti said news stories featuring Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko before a map that carved Ukraine were directly reminded of reports of meetings between Mr. Vucic and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian government and President Vladimir Putin themselves have compared the bias of the Crimea to the situation in Kosovo. Serbian news media RTV reported that Vuciq claimed he and Putin had discussed “hisypocrycrycy in international relations” and using Kosovo's north as an example during which Serbian politician “showed him on map”.

Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as an independent state, and, unlike other European states, has refused to impose sanctions against Russia on the eve of its invasion into Ukraine.

They [Russia] were the only country that had not imposed sanctions against us in the 1990s,” said Mr. Vuciq last week, according to a report by Reuters news agency. He added that Russia had supported Serbia in its “territorial integrity at the United Nations Organisation”, refusing to recognise Kosovo's independence. “We should not forget this”, said Mr. Vuchy.

Vuciq served as information minister under Slobodan Milosevic, the first head in position of a state to be tried for war crimes for his involvement in atrocities during the war in the Western Balkans.