Serbia’s disinformation campaign against Kosovo has been a continuous, organized process for years, utilizing both diplomatic lobbying and media manipulation. Every action taken by Serbia appears to contradict the principles of the NATO alliance. Experts in the field of security argue that the West must reassess its approach to Serbia, as the country’s ongoing propaganda efforts aim to undermine Kosovo’s legitimacy on the international stage.
Serbia shows no intention of halting its disinformation and propaganda war against Kosovo. This is evident from the daily claims made by Serbian leaders, who have recently been vocal about supposed “ethnic cleansing” in Kosovo. These allegations, which have repeatedly surfaced, are part of an ongoing narrative promoted by Serbian officials, aimed at distorting the perception of Kosovo in global discourse and using these falsehoods to influence international support for Serbia.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated, “Resolving issues with threats and ethnic cleansing of Serbs, primarily from northern Kosovo, is not a serious policy and does not lead to any positive results.” Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević has also spread misinformation during talks with foreign diplomats. These claims are part of a larger effort by Serbia to portray Kosovo in a negative light and justify its actions against Kosovo’s sovereignty.
Avni Islami, a Professor of Security Studies, argues that such disinformation efforts from Serbia cannot carry much weight, as they are in direct contradiction to NATO’s principles. However, security expert Nuredin Ibishi believes that Kosovo has failed to fully leverage its partnerships with strategic allies in combating these disinformation campaigns.
Gurakuç Kuçi, a senior researcher at the Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies Octopus, pointed out that Serbia’s disinformation efforts are systematically organized within diplomatic and media channels. These harmful campaigns not only tarnish Kosovo’s image but also attempt to rally international support for Serbia. According to Kuçi, Serbia is responsible for this destabilizing approach towards Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, with the ultimate goal of undermining stability in the Western Balkans.
In light of these developments, experts argue that the West must change its approach to Serbia to mitigate the harmful effects of its ongoing disinformation activities. A reevaluation of the West’s strategy towards Serbia is crucial to ensure regional stability and to prevent further manipulation of public perception on a global scale.
