Serbia is deepening dependence on Russia: Threat for region

The latest gas deal proves that Serbia is not breaking away from its pro-Russian policy, even deepening dependence on the state of Valdimir Putin, which is currently suspected of war crimes in Ukraine. Thus declares international relations professor Ibrahim Gashi, who says Kosovo institutions should commit to testifying to Brussels that Belgrade could turn into an obstacle to the European integration of the entire Western Balkans and is turning into a threat to security in the region.

Gashi, speaking of Kosovo Press, advises Kosovo institutions to return to the US gas project as a response to Serbia's moves in relation to Russia.

This agreement, according to Gashi, could also hold back dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia through which mutual recognition is intended to be reached between the two countries. However, Serbia will also turn into a tool in Russia's hand to destabilise the Western Balkans whenever it suits Putin.

“Now Russia seems to need to keep Serbia out of integration processes, to keep Serbia as an experience of its own Balkans through which it will still hinder Balkan integration policies in Euro-Atlantic institutions, to prevent the process of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, which allegedly will have a final agreement through which Serbia will recognise Kosovo and here Russia still calculates to use Serbia, and eventually if Serbia's recognition to Kosovo, Russia will have its benefits... 0252. The policy of this agreement through a call speaks a lot about Russia's impact on Serbia, even currently. Of course, Russia needs to maintain and strengthen ties with a state like Serbia in the Balkans and with its final goal of using Serbia to promote some provocation in the region in a way when the international factor's attention is focused on the Ukrainian conflicts and when international pressure is enormous on Russia”, Gashi said.

University professor considers Serbia is not changing its attitude towards Russia, rather it is deepening its dependence on Putin.

<x) All these instructions Serbia makes to the European integration processes of the Western Balkans are direct instructions that can actually have consequences and will have consequences in extending the Western Balkans integration process”, he said.

Gashi stresses that despite Kosovo claiming integration into the European Union, the main goal currently should have NATO integration.

Gashi considers Serbia's close ties with Russia to be threatening for peace in the region.

“Such a situation would have to be used by Kosovo institutions, it would have to be a lot of pressure on Brussels over the constructions that are making Belgrade's integration processes and contacts and close ties that it is keeping with Russia even further, and it should probably not be in the EU because of long-standing administrative procedures, then it should be targeted to continue to create international integration in NATO because these close ties of Serbia with Russia are not a bit of a threat to peace and security in the region, and in the first place in Kosovo and Bosnia, so I think that Kosovo should aim to continue to create a climate of NATO, perhaps to see less and more NATO membership, and then to have more NATO membership in NATO, and then, in NATO and then, more and then, more and more, more and more and more and more, NATO.

International relations acquaintance Ibrahim Gashi says a good response to Serbia's actions would be signing the American gas deal.

Of course, a good response would be to sign an American gas agreement, which was left by the Government without an answer, in fact it was said to be being studied further. I think the government has taken the time to study this project and it's time to come up with an approval of this project and that sometimes these economic projects have political concessions and they also have political messages and that a political message that Kosovo is listed and that near the United States of America would be the approval of this gas project, the Government should show readiness now”, he said.

The European Union, which called for Serbia not to strengthen its ties with Russia, has also reacted to the continuation of Serbia's mid-Russian gas deal.

Reactions have also been made by Kosovo leaders. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said Serbia's prime minister, Alexader Vuciq, has chosen to join a war criminal and finance Putin's war. Serbia is the only country in Europe that has not imposed sanctions on Russia following unprotested aggression against Ukraine.