Croatian MEP and rapporteur for Serbia in the European Parliament, Tonino Picula, stated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić “would like to cause unrest in northern Kosovo,” but cannot do so at the moment because, as he claims, “he has spent all his credits after the incursion of Serbian paramilitary groups in Banjskë in 2023.”
In an interview with Croatian media outlet Jutarnji list, Picula emphasized that Vučić’s current strategy aims at destabilization, but without directly using force.
“Vučić now would like to cause unrest in northern Kosovo, but he spent all his credits after the incursion of Serbian paramilitary groups in Banjskë in 2023, when a Kosovo police officer was killed,” said Picula, commenting on the security situation in the region.
Picula, who hails from Croatia, assessed that any potential destabilization in Kosovo would now cost Vučić dearly, which is why he is more focused on internal political tensions and “provocations towards Croatia.”
Regarding Serbia’s European perspective, Picula remarked that Serbia cannot become an EU member until it recognizes Kosovo’s independence and abandons its “Greater Serbia” policy.
“Vučić is using the EU as an ATM. Serbian citizens are exposed to a narrative that favors brotherly and friendly ties with Beijing and Moscow, while the West and the EU are demonized. If a referendum for Serbia’s EU membership were held tomorrow, no spectacular result should be expected,” Picula concluded.
