Petritsch: The worsening of the situation in Kosovo collateral damage of the war in Ukraine

The worsening of the situation in Kosovo is, in a way, collateral damage caused by the war in Ukraine, former European Union Envoy for Kosovo Wolfgang Petritsch assessed.

Petritsch stated for Kosovo Online that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine had spread to Europe, that is, to the rest of the continent, not only metaphorically.

"I hope it will never physically and militarily spread, but the EU, with billions of euros and weapons, supports Ukraine, and Germany, which since 1945 has traditionally always remained neutral in such war conflicts, is now engaged in assistance and is directly involved in the confrontation," Petritsch said.

He points out that Europe, and partly NATO, are directly and indirectly involved in this confrontation, which isn't just a conflict between Ukraine and Russia but also between the US and Europe on one side and Russia on the other.

"It would be dangerous if this new constellation reflected on all open issues, and Kosovo falls into that category," Petritsch warned.

He doesn't believe that Russia will directly intervene in Kosovo, adding that NATO also doesn't have an increased interest in engaging there. Nevertheless, he believes that, especially this and next year, due to upcoming elections in the EU, the US, and many states, special attention must be paid to the security situation.

"Caution is the most important. I fear there won't be progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina due to the upcoming elections in the EU and the new European Commission. Therefore, security issues are at the forefront now. KFOR in Kosovo is already increasing its forces. More attention is paid to prevent events like those in Banjska from happening again," Petritsch says.

That is why it is important to appeal to Pristina and Belgrade to be restrained and mindful that elements not wishing well for the region don't take precedence, as he says.

"It's crucial to realize that Russia is currently not a positive partner in the region. Based solely on the war in Ukraine, its political-diplomatic capabilities are limited. This is a problem we must face. Therefore, in a way, the escalation of the situation in Kosovo is collateral damage of the war in Ukraine," Petritsch emphasized.

Regarding the statement that Russia uses the Kosovo precedent for intervention in Ukraine, while Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti continuously accuses Serbia of being an extended arm of Russia in the Western Balkans, Petritsch says that avoiding incendiary rhetoric is necessary.

"An appeal is needed to avoid being extreme in both words and political rhetoric now. It brings no benefit to either side, primarily not to the people living in Kosovo. The Serbian minority in Kosovo lives under very difficult conditions. It's always necessary to care for the most vulnerable. We must be careful not to let things spiral out of control. Nothing would be more dramatic than getting some kind of second war zone in Kosovo or the Balkans. It must be prevented at all costs," Petritsch urged.

He also notes that with the war in Ukraine, a new reality has emerged in Europe.

"We are faced with a new shocking reality that war has returned to Europe. Thirty years ago, we had it in Yugoslavia, and then it was a huge shock, but overall limited only to the region," Petritsch concluded.