28.07.2023

Balkans Monitor 2/7/2023

On 16 July, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti, proudly announced and posted on social media that his country had purchased Bayraktar TB2 drones from Türkiye, a model recently used by Ukraine against Russian targets.  Kurti’s recent move is interpreted as a result of the perceived waning of support from Western leaders in recent months, and a means of sending a strong signal to Belgrade that Kosovo is willing to defend itself in the event that Serbia makes any further attempts to undermine its borders. The EU and US’s apparent willingness to assuage Serbia so as to prevent the influence of Russia, has left a void that Türkiye has readily been willing to step in and fill. If the trend continues, it is likely that bilateral ties between Kosovo and Türkiye will strengthen, especially in the defense sector. This week’s Balkans Monitor examines why Kosovo has recently stepped up its militarization efforts, and discusses Serbia and NATO’s response. The Monitor concludes by considering their implications on the ongoing EU-led dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina and future prospects for peace in the region.

Vanessa Tinker