David Kanin, a former analyst for the CIA, has stated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is playing both the Americans and the Russians.
Commenting on the deadlock in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in an interview with Voice of America, Kanin mentioned that it seems “no one wants to work with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.”
According to Kanin, this situation gives Serbia an advantage. Reflecting on history from 25 years ago, he noted that Serbia appeared isolated back then.
However, Kanin adds that Serbia has achieved success through the diplomacy it is currently pursuing.
“Serbia has once again become the most important state in the region, with good relations with everyone. Kosovo, on the other hand, is led by a prime minister with whom it seems no one wants to work. And this gives Serbia an advantage… Twenty-five years ago, when NATO was conducting its bombing campaign, Serbia appeared to be a loser, isolated. Now Serbia is anything but a loser, it is far from isolated and has achieved numerous successes through its diplomacy,” Kanin said.
He described Prime Minister Kurti as “unpopular outside Kosovo” but added that Kurti is aware that the creation of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities would undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty.
“Kosovo is in a very difficult situation, with a prime minister who is unpopular outside Kosovo but is clear that the creation of the association would undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty,” he added.
Commenting on the dialogue, Kanin said that Serbian President Vučić is buying time through the diplomacy he is practicing, while Kurti is standing firm and trying to win the next elections.
“The Serbs know this. Kosovars know it too. Vučić is buying time through the advantages he has secured through regional diplomacy and contacts with international leaders, while Kurti is digging in his heels and trying to win the next elections and keep the Serbs at bay,” he said.
“We will not be able to impose a liberal, multi-ethnic, transparent, and Western-style democracy in the region. We will not be able to impose peace and an end to conflicts. We have failed to do this over the past three decades. I think we need to challenge the locals to find ways to work together,” Kanin declared.
