German media analysis, who benefit from the riots in Kosovo?

A KFOR helicopter circulates over northern Kosovo. NATO troops have been reinforced in the north after the riots last Monday, with 700 additional soldiers. With fences and roadblocks, KFOR forces have nearly sealed off several northern municipal buildings.

The violence erupted after trying to begin the post of three Albanian mayors of Serb-run municipalities, elected by a very small number of votes after the Serb election boycott. One of these mayors is Izmir Zeqiri. After Monday he has not returned to the municipality. Although I have the powers my constitution gives, we don't want to turn into a factor that produces violence, rather, our goal is peace, development and the creation of a space in which every citizen is proud. ”

US not “entuniastic” with Kosovo

But basically the 58-year-old considers it right that the Pristina government had insisted that he start working as mayor. The responsibility for this situation, Izmir Zeqiri, goes only to Serbia. The problems we confront now are not new, and I believe, that these problems are fueled by Serbian propaganda, I am sure, that they are also observed by our international friends. ”

But Allies a part of responsibility for the outbreak of violence also imposed on Pristina, as the US and EU had earlier asked Pristina not to impose the introduction of municipal mayors in their offices. In response, the US expelled Kosovo from a military exercise. US Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier in Pristina said that “would say that the United States is not currently very enthusiastic when it comes to engaging in other interests of Kosovo, such as working with other countries that have not recognised Kosovo or active support for Kosovo's European and Euro-Atlantic development. ”

Who benefits?

For Southeast European scholar Florian Bieber from the University of Graz from all this escalation benefits Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq. Serbia is well out of this, and positive to Russia. Russia likes riots in the Balkans.” Not because Russia, this brings him something, but it's a maneuver for attracting attention. Russia helps to present the West weak and maintain relations with Serbia. The “at the same time Vucinciqi has not broken relations with the West and so he has kept all doors open, as he has for a decade. ”

According to Bieber direct plea addresses are not well weighed. The violence did not ultimately come from Kosovo security authorities. “Must be carefully searched for who is responsible for this violence. There is good reason to believe that the responsibility lies with Belgrade. ”

EU before its political ruins

Both Pristina and Belgrade take no small part of the responsibility. Both sides blame each other. The EU now tries to clear up its ruins ahead: Not too long The EU mediated in talks between Serbia and Kosovo. It managed to move both sides into verbal statements to normalise relations. The new violence that erupted is a step back for a process, whose driving power is not certain. “Gati can say that the only positive thing in these developments is that the EU and the US were demonstrated before their eyes, that their current efforts have no success at all”, says expert Florian Bieber.

A Positive Step

At least German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron managed to sit at a Kosovo presidential table, Vjosa Osmani and Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq at the European Political Community summit in Moldova. The signs of rapprochement were not given at the end of this meeting, but there were new European side requirements for return to previous deals. According to Scholz, a ready proposal is on the table right now. He demanded that “not be allowed to postpone this possibility, why, specifically, now in this situation, the courage to carry out the right actions is lacking. ”

Concretically, Kosovo must begin with the realization of the promise for the Association of Serbian municipalities and must hold new elections in the north. The Pristina government has expressed readiness for new elections, though all depends on whether Serbs will participate. This too was requested by Macron and Scholz in Moldova.

Serbia likes status quo

The expert for Southeast Europe, Florian Bieber, says a resumption of negotiations is needed. For a return to previous promises neither Serbia nor Kosovo have great incentives. For the Serbian president these problems are a desired maneuver for turning attention away from internal problems. Prime Minister Kurti will not go too far in concessions to Serbian municipalities. “E with this we have a situation where, in fact, both sides are not ready for compromise”, Bieber says.

Serbia itself can live very well with the status quo situation, Kosovo not so much. “Here requires massive pressure and massive incentives to make real progress.” No quick solution to the horizon for a decades-long conflict.