Savkovic: The narrative of Serbia as Russia’s ally suits Pristina, but the West has a more sober view

Senior advisor at the ISAC Fund, Marko Savkovic, stated that Pristina benefits from repeating the claim that Serbia is Russia’s most reliable ally in the region, but that the West still maintains a “more sober” view of these relations.

Commenting on Pristina’s claims that Russia continues its hybrid influence over Serbia – evident, they say, in the recent visit of Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Porfirije to Moscow, Savkovic said these types of statements are a constant from Kosovo officials, though official Belgrade sometimes gives them grounds for such claims.

“In the current international climate, in the present context, it suits Pristina very much to keep perpetuating this image of Serbia as Russia’s most reliable ally in the region, to keep that narrative constantly present. And our side often provides arguments that support such claims,” Savkovic told Kosovo Online.

He reminded that Serbia is the only country on the European continent that has not imposed sanctions on Russia and refuses to join the group of countries working to isolate it.

“And that is a constant. It has lasted a long time and didn’t start with the war in Ukraine. That narrative has existed for years. Sometimes it has more supporters, sometimes fewer. I think that countries, especially in the West, approach this issue with a level-headed attitude and understand Serbia’s unique position. However, I would also say that some of Belgrade’s moves strongly provoke the skepticism that already exists among European representatives regarding our prospects for EU membership,” Savkovic emphasized.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani recently stated in an interview with Finnish public broadcaster that an unjust peace in Ukraine could send the wrong message to other countries seeking “territorial gains.”

Savkovic said that such a conclusion to the war in Eastern Europe is problematic, but possible.

“The idea that peace can be bought with territory is problematic from the standpoint of international law,” the analyst stressed.

He added that the current military situation on the ground is unfavorable for Ukraine.

“The idea that peace could come only if Ukraine accepts that Russia formally annexes these territories and is granted full control is problematic. It turns out that ‘might makes right’, that power is the decisive factor in international relations. The concept of a rule-based international order stands in opposition to that, but I’m afraid that under the current circumstances, where an end to the war is being sought, it’s quite clear that Ukraine will ultimately have to pay for peace with part of its territory. There is no other way out,” Savkovic stated.

When asked how such an outcome in Eastern Europe might reflect on Kosovo, the analyst said that in such an “analogy,” Serbia would be the “little Russia” and would be “rewarded” with a portion of Kosovo’s territory.

However, he pointed out that there are important differences between the Ukrainian crisis and the Kosovo issue.

“Serbia’s position all these years, regardless of who was in power, has always emphasized these differences and insisted on respecting international law, which Belgrade believes was grossly violated from 1999 onward, culminating in the 2008 unilateral declaration of independence. However, the narrative that the Pristina leadership seeks to impose is that Kosovo is unique, indivisible, independent, and that Kosovo’s territory cannot be ‘traded’ in exchange for Serbia’s acceptance that Kosovo is no longer part of its territory or country,” Savkovic concluded.