Gurakuç Kuçi, a senior researcher at the Octopus Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies, has criticised the rhetoric used during Serbia’s election campaign, warning that an increasingly hostile political climate toward Kosovo is being normalised.
Kuçi argued that Kosovo has become a central theme for parties he describes as successors to the regime of former Serbian President Slobodan Milošević. He said recent campaign statements and activities reflect political objectives directed against Kosovo, which he linked to the concept of “Greater Serbia,” now expressed through the idea of the “Serbian World.”
According to Kuçi, the public appearances of Serbian politicians and the presence of Milan Radoičić at political events indicate efforts to foster a nationalist and anti-Kosovo atmosphere.
“Dačić, during his campaign, reveals the plan for how they intend to one day reconquer Kosovo, once again waving the flag in Prizren. Meanwhile, Milan Radoičić appears freely at political campaign events, helping create the conditions for Vučić’s regime to win again,” Kuçi wrote.
Kuçi also criticised what he described as the approach of some Western countries toward Serbia, arguing that efforts to reduce Belgrade’s dependence on Russian influence should not involve tolerating actions that could destabilise neighbouring countries.
“Such an approach contradicts the principles and standards that the West itself promotes. This mindset effectively encourages a culture of impunity, which fuels extremism, while extremism produces destabilisation,” he said.
Kuçi further argued that the European Union would respond immediately if politicians in Kosovo made comparable statements.
He warned against allowing nationalist mobilisation rhetoric to become normalised, saying it could create dangerous and unpredictable circumstances in the future.
“Appeasement toward Belgrade risks reinforcing this climate when diplomatic cooperation continues without demanding concrete institutional accountability,” Kuçi added.
The statements reflect Kuçi’s assessment of Serbia’s political campaign and its implications for relations with Kosovo.
