NATO prepares for largest exercise in the last 3 decades, Kosovo not included

“Steadfast Defender” has been warned that it will be the largest military exercise in more than 3 decades since the end of the Cold War.

While security challenges are not missing in many regions, the emphasis is Ukraine's war, namely, the message intended to send to the aggressor, the state of Russia.

In a response to Dukagjin, the north-Atlantic alliance say the goal is to demonstrate unity, while it will be part of 31 states, as well as Sweden, which remains pending NATO membership finalisation.

“in 2024 NATO to conduct “exercise Steadfast Defender”, NATO's largest exercise in decades, with forces from 31 allies and Sweden. It will be based on new NATO defence plans. Steadfast Defender 2024 will demonstrate our ability to deploy force rapidly from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce Europe's defence. Standfast Defender 2024 will be a clear demonstration of our unity and transatlantic strength and our determination to continue to do everything necessary to protect each other, our values and international order based on rules. NATO exercises are protective, transparent and proportional and are conducted in full respect of our international obligations”, NATO's response reported.

But among 32 states, the country did not have for Kosovo and its soldiers.

The defence ministry has told Dukagjin that they are focused on organising Defender 2025, but sources suggest that despite support of Ukraine, KSF has not accepted an invitation.

Because we are officers of Defender Euuper 2025, our focus is on preparing for the realisation of this exercise, and we have only started participating in the preparation conferences. All the logistical and operational conditions needed to be the host of this exercise have been met during Defeder Europe 2024”, the ministry said.

Leaving at the side of Kosovo, the KSF's retired lieutenant colonel, Africa Veselin, considers it political.

This is just a message from the North Atlantic Alliance, the Alliance of Freedom of Peoples and States that if the Russian aggression is intended to start something new, it's going to be the fiasco... Kosovo has supported Ukraine, The KSF is now training Ukrainian soldiers in search-for-saving, why Kosovo is not involved, I think it's a political issue because of sanctions Kosovo is carrying from an unwise geox1> policy, Veselin has said.

The exercise, which has been warned that it will be held in the first part of this year, also coincides with the footnote of the 75th anniversary of NATO's establishment.

Among the countries with the largest number of participants is the United Kingdom, which has warned it will send 20 thousand soldiers to “Standfast Defender”.