Vucevic: Kurti wants a hasty reaction from Serbia; we must not lead the country into war

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic stated today that Albin Kurti, through his unilateral actions, aims to provoke a hasty reaction from Serbia. However, despite the nearly untenable situation in Kosovo, Belgrade must not respond to provocations and lead the country into war.

"Kurti's regime is carrying out terror against Serbs. This is not pressure, but terror, primarily in the north of Kosovo," Vucevic said to reporters in Belgrade.

He emphasized that the situation is almost unbearable but insisted that Serbia must not respond to provocations.

"We must not lead Serbia into war because that is Kurti's goal—to push our nerves to the breaking point and provoke a hasty reaction, leading us in a direction we cannot and do not want to go, into conflicts and wars," Vucevic stated.

He pointed out that the situation in Kosovo involves not just the police and the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) but also the presence of KFOR troops.

"I believe that KFOR is aware of its responsibility for the security of everyone in Kosovo," the Serbian Prime Minister added.

He welcomed the message from the KFOR commander not to agree to the opening of the bridge on the Ibar River but expressed deep concern about how Serbia will survive in Kosovo.

"Yesterday's raid and the occupation of temporary institutions in the north... What's left for Kurti is to invade schools and kindergartens. He's taken over everything and shut it down, and each time we see reactions that are strong but ineffective. The international community must take concrete measures," Vucevic said.

Vucevic stated that Serbia has the option to fight politically, to speak publicly about this, and to tell the truth.

"We also have another option, but it requires a path I wouldn't want Serbia to take because it would halt us in all other areas. And that's what Kurti wants; he wants our hasty reaction. I wish we all had the instruments to defend Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija more effectively, but these are the circumstances. This is the reality that surrounds us. This wasn't created by Serbia but by those who see Kosovo as an independent territory. Perhaps they didn't expect there would be this much pressure on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, but the plan is to discipline the Serbs so they understand that Pristina is their capital, that they must see Kurti as their prime minister, and reconcile with that fate as they envision Kosovo's future," the Prime Minister explained.

Vucevic expressed his belief that the Serbs will survive and remain in Kosovo, and that despite all the hardships, terror, pressures, and unbearable living conditions, they will stay in that area.

"And Serbia is doing everything it can without jeopardizing the survival of the entire state. Serbia is doing everything it can to protect Kosovo and Metohija, and especially the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, without endangering the survival of the entire state of Serbia. It is pursuing a responsible policy, fully aware of all the challenges it faces," he said, adding that Serbia does not want to do anything that would threaten peace, stability, and security.

He pointed out that he has the impression that the timing of the Kosovo Police raids is related to the departure of French President Emmanuel Macron from Serbia.

"Immediately after that, Kurti launched a new attack on Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija. There is no doubt that this was long prepared. It is part of his agenda, part of his set of political goals that he strives for. This was an excellent moment for him, right after Macron left Serbia, to try to humiliate the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, to further frighten and intimidate them, essentially telling them that they cannot survive and stay there and that no one can help them," Vucevic said.

He noted that the international community's reactions this time were somewhat stronger.

"But I cannot convince myself that Kurti disregards everyone and can do whatever he wants, regardless of what the U.S. or the other Quint countries say to him. Whether one of those countries supports him a bit more in this, I cannot say, as that would be unfair. I do not have enough complete information to make such a statement. However, I do have the impression that he certainly has some form of support from someone," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Vucevic expressed doubt that Kurti is entirely alone in everything he is doing.

"Is he probably irritating the Quint countries with his actions? Yes, likely. He is likely raising tensions more than they would like. But, of course, they are not abandoning the project of Kosovo's independence. I'm not sure if this level of tension, pressure, and everything Kurti is doing to the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is even acceptable to them at this moment," Vucevic added.

He reminded that Kurti was imprisoned for his deep beliefs, that he believes in them much more than those who were in the KLA, and that he lives for the idea of uniting Albanian territories and ensuring that there are no Serbs on them.

"He is the political heir of Adem Demaçi. He believes he is the one who will unite all Albanian territories and thinks he will solve the Serbian question. And then we talk about European values in Kosovo—show me those values in Kosovo," he added.

Vucevic also criticized NGOs from central Serbia for never saying anything about the situation of Serbs in Kosovo.

"You know why there's silence? Because those who make noise every day are paid by those who tell them that Kosovo and Metohija are not their concern. They consider it a different territory," concluded Prime Minister Vucevic.