Starovic: Sharper statement from the State Department; two messages from the US in two days – a signal that there is a willingness to stop Kurti

The State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense of Serbia, Nemanja Starovic, stated that tonight's statement from the State Department, calling on the Government of Kosovo to immediately postpone the decision of the Central Bank to abolish the dinar, was harsher than the previous one and that the fact that this was the second statement in just a few days was a signal that there was a will to stop Albin Kurti.

"Based on previous bitter experiences, we are inclined to think that all of this is a charade in which Kurti exposes himself to criticism while being given a free hand to do as he pleases. However, this statement is harsher than anything we heard in the previous days. If we read the statement carefully, it says that they did not receive an explanation of whether there is a need for such a decision. Therefore, they are seeking the postponement of the entire decision, not just punitive measures. This is the second statement from the State Department in a few days, a signal that there is a will to stop Kurti," Starovic said for RTS.

He emphasizes that if there is such a will, the United States has mechanisms to do so, recalling two examples when the US reacted – in 2020 when Pristina introduced and then suspended 100% tariffs, as well as in the case of Kurti's attempt to shut down MTS and leave the Serbs in Kosovo without phone signal and internet.

Starovic stated that the support the US provided to Pristina, as a key sponsor of Kosovo's independence, was not in question. Still, he also noted that there was an awareness in a significant part of the Western political establishment that something, leading to the exodus of the Serbs from Kosovo, must not be allowed to happen.

"I want to believe that this awareness will prevail," Starovic emphasized.

He states that there is enough cash in Kosovo and that we will see how the situation unfolds in the coming days, as there are many uncertainties regarding the decision to abolish the dinar.

He says there is reason for concern but not for panic because Serbia cannot and will not allow the Serbs in Kosovo to be left without the means of living.

"We are acting on the diplomatic front, and I believe that after the reaction of the international community and the statement from the State Department, there will be room for increased pressure on Kurti, which should yield results," Starovic said.

On Kurti's statement that there are "non-banking financial institutions in the four municipalities in the north where remittances and payments can be sent", Starovic says he doesn't know what Kurti is talking about and reiterates that Serbia will be able to find practical ways to continue the payment system, ensuring that the Serbs have the means of living.

He added that there was hardly any Serbian family in Kosovo not relying on some form of assistance from Serbia, such as salary, pension, social benefits, or child allowance.

"It is clear to everyone that all Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are opponents of Albin Kurti and his regime, and that he, under the guise of the rule of law, is implementing a policy whose goal is to no longer have Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. I want to believe that the international community will not allow such a thing," Starovic said.