8 hours agoKFOR Commander: The situation in calm but fragile Kosovo is urgently required for political solutions
Periskopi(2 months ago)
(2 months ago)The commander of NATO's mission to Kosovo (KFOR), Major General Ozkan Ulutash, has declared that the security situation in the country remains generally calm, but still fragile, with potential for new tensions, especially in the country's north. In a statement from Brussels, after meetings at NATO headquarters, he indicated there is [...]
In a statement from Brussels, after meetings at NATO headquarters, he announced that he has informed ambassadors of allied countries and contributing partners in KFOR, as well as met with NATO Deputy General Secretary Radmila Sekerinska and other senior officials.
According to him, the security situation in Kosovo and the Western Balkans has been discussed at these meetings, as well as the priorities of the KFOR mission, just over two months before the NATO summit, to be held in Ankara in July.
Ulutash stressed that commitment NATO for security in Kosovo remains steadfast.
“Aleates and partners continue to fully support our efforts to preserve a safe environment for all communities and freedom of movement”, he said.
According to him, the mission currently consists of over 4600 troops from 31 countries, naming it a key collective venture for stability in the region.
Speaking of developments on the ground, he stressed that since October 2025, no restoration of violence has been observed as in 2023, but warned that the situation remains sensitive.
“since October 2025, we have seen that local security is generally calm. We have not seen a return to violence, as we saw in 2023. However, the situation remains fragile, with potential for new tensions, especially in northern Kosovo”.
Therefore, my priority is to maintain stability, to the best of all communities”, KFOR stated among other things, adding that it maintains a visible and flexible presence to respond to any development and reduce tensions in case of need.
The commander named KFOR a key pillar of stability in Kosovo and the Western Balkans, thanking allies for continued support.
In his statement, Commander Ulutash also stressed the urgent need for a political solution, while adding that KFOR continues to create room for political dialogue to move forward.
“Stability depends on choosing all sides for diplomacy on violence. The road to long-term peace is political, not military. KFOR will continue to do its job in support of this” process, he said.
KFOR commander underlined that NATO continues to strongly support the EU-led dialogue on normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
He concluded that KFOR will continue to play its role in creating space for advancing dialogue and maintaining stability, in the function of a better future for all citizens of Kosovo and the region.
A constructive and comprehensive road forward is what we must continue to pursue, together, for a better future for all people living in Kosovo. And for regional stability”, KFOR Commander Ozkan Ulutash said.
