Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s recent statements on a so-called “military alliance” between Prishtina, Tirana, and Zagreb continue a familiar political narrative in Belgrade: creating a perception of external threat to justify domestic policies and Serbia’s ongoing militarization.
Vučić presents the open and publicly announced security cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia as a potential threat, labeling it a “military alliance with offensive intentions.” Yet, the facts on the ground tell a different story.
Known Cooperation, Not a Secret Alliance
Albania and Croatia are NATO members, and any cooperation between them takes place within the Alliance framework. Kosovo, although not a member, has established close defensive ties with the United States and Turkey, in line with its constitutional mandate and under ongoing international oversight.
There is no secret agreement or document suggesting the creation of a military bloc aimed at attacking Serbia or any other state in the region.
Serbia’s Militarization Remains Undisputed
While warning of “threats” from its neighbors, Serbia has steadily increased its military budget, investing in advanced weaponry from Russia, China, and other partners. It maintains the largest conventional force in the Western Balkans and regularly conducts military exercises near the Kosovo border.
In this context, Kosovo’s requests for basic defensive equipment—such as anti-tank systems, armored vehicles, or standard NATO-compatible arms—are portrayed by Belgrade as evidence of preparation for war, a claim unsupported by any international institution.
“Intelligence Reports” Without Verification
Vučić’s claims of possessing “complete lists” of Kosovo’s alleged military plans remain political statements without substantiated evidence. Requests for defensive equipment do not automatically imply approval, delivery, or aggressive intent.
Moreover, Kosovo’s security sector is among the most monitored in Europe, with constant oversight from Western partners.
A Deliberate Political Rhetoric
Analysts argue that this harsh rhetoric comes at a time when Serbia faces internal political pressures and social discontent, while international attention on stability in the Western Balkans is increasing.
Creating an external threat serves as a tool to:
- divert attention from domestic problems
- justify increased military spending
- strengthen political control through fear
Reality Beyond the Rhetoric
The cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia poses no threat to anyone. It is transparent, defensive, and aligned with the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.
The real question is not why these countries cooperate, but why Serbian leadership continues to portray every step toward stability and deterrence as a threat, while framing its own militarization as a necessity.
