Ulutas: Incendiary rhetoric and the continued use of disinformation remain a concern

KFOR Commander Ozkan Ulutas stated that the path to sustainable security is political rather than military. He emphasized that incendiary rhetoric and the continued use of disinformation are among KFOR's key concerns, given their potential impact on the security environment.

"For that reason, KFOR remains vigilant and well positioned throughout Kosovo. KFOR will continue to carry out the tasks entrusted to it. It will continue to play its role within NATO's broader efforts to support the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. This dialogue is the framework for resolving all outstanding issues and achieving solutions that fully respect the rights of all communities," Ulutas said in a written interview with KosovaPress.

He assessed that the security situation in northern Kosovo is currently calm.

"KFOR maintains a regular, visible, and flexible presence through patrols, observation posts, and engagement with all local communities. This approach, together with close coordination and communication with the Kosovo Police, EULEX, and the Serbian Armed Forces, enables us to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the situation and to be prepared to respond effectively to any significant security developments," he said.

Ulutas added that KFOR maintains regular and transparent communication with the Serbian Armed Forces at all levels.

"I recently visited Belgrade, where I met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Mojsilovic. It was my fifth meeting with him. I greatly value the cooperation we have developed over the years. In many ways, it has contributed to strengthening transparency and mutual trust, as well as preserving regional stability," Ulutas said.

Responding to criticism voiced in Kosovo that KFOR at times shows greater understanding for Belgrade's positions than those of Pristina, Ulutas stressed that impartiality is the cornerstone of KFOR's mission.

"Our mandate is absolutely clear—to contribute to a safe and secure environment for everyone living in Kosovo. We adhere to that mandate in all of our daily activities. That remains our focus. Lasting security can exist only if all communities feel they benefit from it. We will continue to implement our United Nations-mandated mission fully and impartially. Impartiality has always been a fundamental principle of KFOR's work and will continue to guide the daily activities of our peacekeeping mission, including my regular meetings with all interlocutors. Among them are representatives of Kosovo's institutions. I recently met with Mr. Kurti, with whom I exchanged views on a range of issues and KFOR's continued contribution to regional stability," he said.

Ulutas noted that his first term as KFOR Commander in 2023 began shortly after a series of serious security incidents in northern Kosovo earlier that year, including what he described as unjustified and unacceptable attacks on KFOR peacekeepers in Zvecan.

"As a result of those negative developments, KFOR was reinforced to its highest level in more than a decade through the deployment of nearly 1,000 additional troops. Since then, we have not witnessed a recurrence of incidents of similar scale or intensity. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant through a visible and flexible presence across Kosovo. We closely monitor all relevant developments that could affect security in Kosovo and regional stability, while remaining fully focused on implementing our mandate in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999. As the security situation stabilizes, NATO will optimize KFOR's presence in Kosovo and gradually adjust the current troop levels over the coming year. This process will be gradual and conditions-based, and it can be reversed if security developments so require. Since 1999, KFOR's presence has been continuously adapted to ensure that the mission remains capable of fulfilling its mandate and responding to changes in the security environment," he said.

The KFOR commander also stressed that NATO will not allow any security vacuum to emerge in Kosovo or the Balkans, describing this part of Europe as a region of strategic importance to the Alliance.

He made the remarks in response to a question about whether Kosovo would be secure today without KFOR's presence and what conditions would need to be met before the mission would no longer be necessary.

"For 27 years, KFOR has been a pillar of security in Kosovo and a key contributor to regional stability. The fact that we are now optimizing our presence is a positive indication that the security environment is generally stable. Nevertheless, NATO and KFOR remain fully committed to maintaining security in Kosovo," Ulutas concluded.