Ristuccia: There is no military solution for Kosovo; normalization of relations is needed

Commander of KFOR, Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, stated today that there was no military solution to the situation in Kosovo and that normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina had to be achieved, RTV reports.

"There is no military solution; there is only a political solution. We, the military, can create the security conditions to keep the dialogue alive," Ristuccia told the Italian "Repubblica."

He emphasized that what had happened over the weekend in Banjska was not a turning point but rather an evolution of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

"I want to be optimistic and think that what happened can make the parties think more wisely. If that doesn't happen, KFOR will have to engage more," Ristuccia stated.

He added that the situation in northern Kosovo was currently calmer but still "deeply unstable".

When asked if it was possible for KFOR to replace the Kosovo Police in areas with the highest tensions, Ristuccia said that it was a political decision made in coordination with NATO.

Regarding the conflict between the Serbs from Kosovo and the Kosovo Police in May of this year, he said that Pristina authorities had ignored KFOR's advice, and in the end, KFOR members had paid the price for it.

He also mentioned that the Pristina authorities had given an assessment at that time that had not been in line with the mission's expectations.

"We felt the consequences on May 29. Kosovo Serbs attacked us, but there were also elections a priori that did not allow for stability," Ristuccia said.