Vujinovic: Kurti's announcement of the ammunition factory is an election campaign, it will not happen

Albin Kurti's announcement about opening an ammunition factory is just another election tactic as part of his campaign for the upcoming elections, security studies researcher Nikola Vujinovic told Kosovo Online.

Vujinovic believes the story about the ammunition factory should also be seen as a message from the collective West to Serbia.

“Everything happening in Kosovo and Metohija is tied to the relationship between Serbia and the West, not to Serbia’s relationship with Kosovo Albanians or Albin Kurti, who is merely a puppet in their hands. In the announcement, Kurti specifically emphasized US support. With the Biden administration’s term nearing its end, the question is whether Kurti is trying to push forward some agenda. Especially given Biden’s recent announcements of additional aid to Ukraine and Israel, it is clear these moves aim to prevent Trump from returning to power. On one hand, I see this announcement as mere election rhetoric and an empty promise,” Vujinovic said.

He emphasizes that the mere mention of forming an interdepartmental commission indicates that the proposed factory is unlikely to materialize.

“This ammunition factory and the violence against Serbs are largely election-driven and will likely yield results. It seems that Self-determination Movement will secure a significant majority, maybe not enough to govern alone but enough to be an indispensable player in the government. I see the factory in this context, but it also serves as a Western message to Serbia, which has proposed laws on social welfare for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as criminal prosecution laws. The timing of this story is no coincidence. In addition to ammunition, drones are also being mentioned. Turkey has donated ‘Bayraktars’ globally, including to Kosovo and allegedly Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the Ukraine conflict has shown their inefficiency. The essence of Turkey’s drone industry was discredited in the Ukrainian conflict, and these donations to places like Mali or Kosovo are a marketing move to sustain the narrative. Drones are currently in vogue; everyone wants them, but Serbia is the only one producing them,” he added.

On the other hand, Vujinovic emphasizes that Kosovo would find it much easier to establish a drone factory than an ammunition factory, which requires far greater resources.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the factory were positioned somewhere in the north, though I find that unlikely. On the other hand, such a move would be a clear message from the collective West to Serbia. If something like that were allowed in the heart of the Serbian community, then there would be no point in further dialogue with them,” Vujinovic concluded.