The arrival of a new and powerful defense system in the Balkans on Wednesday has done more than enhance the capabilities of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) — it has sent shockwaves through the carefully cultivated regional diplomacy that Turkey has built over recent years, reports TurkeyToday.
Containers carrying thousands of advanced “Skydagger” kamikaze drones, produced by Turkish defense company Baykar, arrived in Pristina this week under a previously signed defense contract.
Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti hailed the move as a step toward building a “modern and contemporary force.” However, the announcement triggered a sharp reaction from Belgrade, putting Ankara in a delicate diplomatic position.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić accused Turkey of violating international law and destabilizing the Western Balkans, calling the drone delivery a “brutal breach of the UN Charter and Resolution 1244.”
“I am appalled by Turkey’s behavior and its clear ambitions to revive the Ottoman Empire,” Vučić declared, claiming Ankara’s actions threaten regional stability.
Accusations of “Neo-Ottomanism” and Double Standards
Analysts note that accusations of “neo-Ottomanism” frequently emerge in Balkan politics whenever Turkish influence expands. In reality, Turkey’s foreign policy remains pragmatic, emphasizing economic and regional stability — a strategy that has fueled what many call a “golden era” in Ankara–Belgrade relations.
Ironically, Serbia itself continues to modernize its military through partnerships with Russia and China, both in direct opposition to Western policy. In July, Serbian special units conducted joint drills with Chinese forces, despite objections from the EU and the United States.
This reflects what observers describe as a double standard: Belgrade insists on its right to strengthen its military while opposing similar steps by Kosovo — a state it still refuses to recognize.
Kosovo’s Response and NATO Dynamics
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani condemned Vučić’s comments, calling them “shameful,” and praised Turkey as a dedicated NATO ally.
“I am proud to have worked closely with President Erdogan — a man of his word who has shown sincere care for all the people of the region,” Osmani said.
“Vučić seems to believe he can threaten a major NATO country like Turkey in the same way he intimidates his smaller neighbors.”
She also criticized Serbia’s growing military ties with Russia, China, and Iran, contrasting them with Turkey’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic stability.
Notably, the controversy comes just days after Turkish Major General Özkan Ulutaş assumed command of NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo for a second time — underscoring Turkey’s key peacekeeping role.
Ankara commands one of the largest troop contingents in KFOR, which operates under UN Resolution 1244, the same resolution Belgrade cites in its protests.
Election Tensions and Regional Politics
The diplomatic clash unfolds only days before Kosovo’s October 12 local elections, a period often marked by ethnic tension and heated political rhetoric. Analysts suggest that Vučić may be using the crisis to divert attention from ongoing domestic protests against corruption and abuse of power in Serbia.
By reviving nationalist rhetoric and confronting a NATO power, Vučić may seek to shift the political narrative away from internal discontent toward an external “enemy.”
Ankara’s Balancing Act
For Turkey, the message remains clear: maintaining strong economic ties with Serbia is a priority, but not at the expense of its strategic commitment to Kosovo.
Ankara’s role is not to choose between Pristina and Belgrade but to balance both relationships, believing that pragmatic cooperation — even when it involves drones — is the only sustainable path to long-term stability in the Balkans.
