Who’s Who – Özkan Ulutaş: The Return of the Turkish General to the helm of KFOR – what message does it send to Pristina, and what to Belgrade

Major General of the Turkish Army Özkan Ulutaş today once again entered history. When he assumed command of KFOR in October 2023, he became the first Turkish general to take charge of a NATO mission. Today, he also became the first commander to return to lead KFOR, replacing Italian General Barduani, to whom he handed over command in October last year.

Ulutaş graduated from military high school in 1985, pursued advanced training in China, served in the UNIKOM mission, was stationed at NATO Command in Naples, and earned his doctorate in history at Atatürk University in Turkey.

At today’s handover ceremony, he said that in his new term as KFOR Commander, he would rely on his previous experience. Thanks to having already led KFOR between 2023 and 2024, Ulutaş will not have to “waste” time getting acquainted with the situation, nor with political representatives in Pristina, ambassadors, or representatives of the Serbian community.

“I express my gratitude to the Turkish national authorities, as well as to NATO’s political and military structures, for the honor entrusted to me. This second term at the helm of KFOR builds on prior experience, provides vision to the community, and reaffirms the Atlantic Alliance’s steadfast commitment to regional stability. It also reflects a truly collective effort,” Ulutaş said today.

“We are ready and fully committed to carrying out our long-standing mission for lasting security in Kosovo and regional stability. We will do so through a variety of activities and efforts on the ground, as well as through our strong support for genuine progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which is the path to final stability. In that regard, I wish to highlight the important work still being carried out by many international representatives – the North Atlantic Council, the European Union and the Quint countries, as well as the heads of allied diplomatic missions in Kosovo, the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo,” Ulutaş stressed.

“KFOR Supports Dialogue”

Ulutaş has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

“We support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under EU facilitation as the only path to lasting peace and stability, for the benefit of all communities living in Kosovo. The situation on the ground is calm, but still fragile. Our primary goal remains the prevention of escalation. However, in the event of heightened tensions, we are prepared and equipped to take all necessary measures to continue fulfilling our UN mandate,” Ulutaş has stated.

Ulutaş on Zvecan

On May 29, 2024, KFOR Commander Ulutaş said that the courage of KFOR soldiers during the 2023 protests in Zvecan helped stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation of violence.

“We honor the merits and sacrifices of our comrades who risked their lives to fulfill their duties for all communities living in Kosovo, in line with our mission’s long-standing UN mandate. Their courage helped stabilize the situation in that area and prevented further escalation of violence,” Ulutaş said at the time.

Present at Serbian Army Exercises in Pester

In one of his interviews with Kosovo Online, Ulutaş underlined that KFOR had solid resources and was prepared to face any challenges affecting the security environment, in line with its UN mandate. He was also the KFOR commander who attended a Serbian Army exercise.

“The exercise I had the opportunity to observe as a guest reflects the effective relationship between KFOR and the Serbian Army over the years, as confirmed by KFOR’s observations of past exercises and regular contacts with the Chief of the Serbian General Staff. Regular and transparent communication, including with security organizations in Kosovo, is key to the safety of all people living in Kosovo and to regional stability,” he told the portal at the time.

Analysts Positive About Ulutaş

When he completed his first mandate in October 2024, analysts agreed that the Turkish general had done a good job.

Thus, Professor of Political History in Pristina, Blerim Cana, said that General Ulutaş performed his duties well.

“He did well, especially if we recall that incident. We all know what KFOR does, and I think he carried out his responsibilities excellently,” Cana assessed.

The Turkish General on the Main Ibar Bridge

Regarding the possible opening of the main Ibar River bridge in Mitrovica to vehicle traffic, Ulutaş consistently advocated that this should be settled through dialogue.

“As for the possible opening of the Ibar River bridge in Mitrovica to vehicles, our stance has always been transparent and consistent. Any decision in this regard must be made within the dialogue framework and with timely and effective coordination with the international community. In the meantime, KFOR will maintain its permanent presence on the bridge and continue to carry out regular patrols in the surrounding areas,” Ulutaş repeatedly emphasized.

Ulutaş’s Biography

The biography of the new KFOR Commander also shows that he commanded a mechanized brigade in Turkey and served in various positions in NATO headquarters.

He was born in 1967 in Manisa Salihli, in western Anatolia. He graduated from military high school in 1985, and four years later completed the Military Academy as an armored corps officer. He underwent advanced training in China and served in the UNIKOM mission. From 2005 to 2008, he was stationed at NATO Command in Naples, and he later spent two years in a NATO command in the United States. He earned his doctorate in history at Atatürk University in Turkey.

He became a brigadier general in 2017 and later a major general. From 2017 to 2021, he served as the Commander of NATO’s Rapid Reaction Forces in Turkey. He assumed command of the KFOR mission from the position of Director of Strategy in the Turkish General Staff, which he held since 2021. He has now once again taken over command of KFOR, with his mandate running until October 2026.