Kadri Kastrati, retired General and former Commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), has hailed the multinational military exercise “Defender 25” as a pivotal moment for Kosovo’s defense strategy and diplomatic standing in the region.
Speaking to local media, Kastrati emphasized that Kosovo hosting the Western Balkans Division Command represents a major military and diplomatic milestone.
“This exercise holds special importance for the KSF and for Kosovo as a whole. Hosting the command of the 28th Division, which covers the entire Western Balkans, is a great privilege,” he stated.
According to Kastrati, nearly 25,000 troops from 28 to 29 different countries are participating in the large-scale NATO-led exercise, which spans three key European zones:
- Western Balkans Division headquartered in Gjakova, Kosovo
- Eastern European Division based in Romania
- Central European Division based in Germany
Kastrati underlined that the drill is not only a show of strength but a strategic response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, warning that NATO remains unsure whether Moscow’s ambitions end there.
“Russia’s war in Ukraine has destabilized not only the Western Balkans but all of Europe. This massive exercise serves as a deterrent and a message of preparedness,” he added.
On domestic defense matters, Kastrati noted progress in troop growth for the KSF, now numbering between 4,300 to 4,400 personnel, but also pointed to delays in the implementation of Kosovo’s 2013 defense development plan.
“Although the outgoing government has increased the defense budget, Kosovo still falls short of its strategic goal: at least 5,000 active troops and 3,000 reserve personnel, based on studies conducted during my tenure,” Kastrati concluded.
