PRISTINA — A resolution recently passed by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo regarding the rights of Albanians in the Preševo Valley (Preševo, Medveđa, and Bujanoc) has become the latest target of a disinformation campaign by Kremlin-backed media outlets.
Articles published by Sputnik Serbia and shared via portals like Naslovi.net have falsely characterized the resolution as a “revival of land swap ideas” and a step toward the creation of a “Greater Albania.”
The Disinformation Narrative
Sputnik Serbia’s report links the resolution directly to a project for territorial exchange between Kosovo and Serbia.
- The Claim: Citing political scientist Nikola Perišić, the outlet alleges that Prime Minister Albin Kurti is “reactivating” the land swap idea to build a base for annexing the Preševo Valley ahead of potential snap elections.
- The Narrative: The article frames the resolution as a form of “pressure on Serbia” and a “turbulent project for the Balkans.”
The Reality of the Resolution
An analysis of the actual resolution, approved by the Assembly on April 24, 2026, reveals that it contains no mention of border changes or territorial exchange. Instead, the nine-point document focuses on:
- Institutional Care: Advancing institutional support for the Albanian community in Serbia in accordance with European standards.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Encouraging the government to raise the issue of Albanian rights in the Valley within the EU-facilitated dialogue.
- Humanitarian & Socio-Economic Support: Providing financial, educational, and institutional aid to citizens in the three municipalities.
- EU Integration Criteria: Requesting that Serbia’s treatment of the Albanian minority be treated as an integral criterion for its progress toward EU membership.
The resolution was proposed by Arbërie Nagavci (LVV) and initiated by Shaip Kamberi, the sole Albanian deputy in the Serbian Parliament, as a means to prevent the “depassivation of addresses” and systemic discrimination against Albanians in Serbia.
Historical Context: Land Swaps vs. Current Policy
While the idea of “border correction” was discussed in 2018 during the presidency of Hashim Thaçi, it has been consistently rejected by current leadership.
- Albin Kurti’s Stance: The current Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that territorial exchange is a “formula for war” and has declared the project “dead,” though he warns that the idea persists among certain regional actors as a destabilization tool.
- Hashim Thaçi’s Recent Clarification: In an interview published on April 13, 2026, the former President reiterated that his past engagements were always aimed at “securing a lasting peace through diplomatic solutions in accordance with the Constitution,” moving away from the “land swap” label often used by critics.
Why It Matters
Experts warn that the timing of this disinformation—coinciding with the dissolution of the Kosovo Assembly and the escalation of the US-Iran war—is intended to stoke ethnic tensions and portray Kosovo as a revisionist actor in the Balkans.
The resolution remains a document of human and civil rights, not a territorial manifesto.
