Analyses of the Robert Landing Institute: Vuciq's maneuvers to line up for and against West by destabilising Kosovo

Total analysis:

Last month, CIA Director William Burns visited three Western Balkan countries, Serbia and Kosovo, where the potential for serious conflicts remains high. This visit was intended to underline the critical issues facing the region for the coming months of elections in the United States, Serbia, Kosovo and several EU countries. From many people, this visit was considered the most important visit to the region in the past 15 years and was intended to draw <x0-line red lines” for the region's political leadership.

Burns' first stop was Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he met with Republika Srpska separatist leader Milorad Dodik, a controversian leader standing between Putin and the West as a Vuciqi doll. Dodik is known for his divisive policy, including threats to separate Republika Srpska from Bosnia and Herzegovina, maintaining close ties with Russia, promoting hate speech against Muslim Bosniaks and denying genocide in Srebrenica. After meeting with Burns, Dodik noted that he has never intended to separate him from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Although Burns' visit to Serbia was obviously calm, Serbia's role as the centre for Russian intelligence activity and its growing relations with China will likely have played a visiting role. Burns' trip was not a recognition of President Aleksandar Vuciq's diplomatic skills, but rather a reflection of broader geopolitical concerns representing Serbia. Meanwhile, Burns' visit to Kosovo occurred in a period of tension between the US and the Kosovo government. US Ambassador to Pristina Jeffrey Hovenier recently expressed concern that the Kosovo government was challenging US interests. Both the US and the EU have asked Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to be more responsible to international requirements, especially avoiding actions they consider unilateral.

A few days ago during a meeting with Prime Minister Kurti, several familiar figures from Serbia expressed concern over possible developments in the region. Sonja Biserko along with Nenad Canak and Mark Baskin raised concerns about reports that houses and dwellings are being built for Kosovo Serbs, especially those from the northern region, in the Sandzak region of Serbia. They urged Kosovo, the government to verify these reports.

Indicators say Vucic may be orchestrating a plan involving the shift of Kosovo Serbs to Serbia. In his current political situation, Vucic could devise an excuse to accuse Kosovo of ethnic cleansing against Serbs, which could lead to a disturbing humanitarian situation and grave consequences for Kosovo on the international stage. Any exchange of the population is dangerous and can fuel greater conflicts in the future.

Meanwhile, two days ago, Miroslav Lujak, the EU's special envoy for the Western Balkans, met with Vuciq. After discussing them, Vuciq announced he will address the public for the situation within the next 72 hours. Media in Belgrade reported that Serbia could submit six requests to Kosovo, including holding municipal elections in the north, restoring 700 Serb police officers to duty, establishing controversial association during Serbian municipalities and releasing Serbs arrested for those who claim to be politically motivated reasons.

These developments come days before the anniversary of Serbian aggression against Kosovo. Marked with the terrorist attack against Kosovo Police in Banjska on 24 September, in which Sergeant Africa Bulnjak was killed.

On Wednesday, the Kosovo Special Prosecution filed charges against 45 people, including Milan Radojicic, in connection with the attack. The European Union welcomed the indictment. EU spokesman Peter Stano stressed that “The EU has repeatedly called for Serbia to bring to justice all those involved in this brutal attack”.

He added, “Establishment of the indictment means that judicial procedures will now begin and we expect a complete solution to this process. ”

So far, Serbia has not yet taken any concrete steps to bring the perpetrators of the attack in Banjska to justice without seeing