As Europe remains focused on the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Western Balkans are reaching dangerous levels, Politico reports.
One of the most alarming incidents was the armed standoff at the Serbian Orthodox monastery in Banjska, northern Kosovo, involving a clash between Kosovo Police and Serbian militants. The attack resulted in the deaths of Kosovo police officer Afrim Bunjaku and three Serbian attackers, sharply escalating tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.
Kosovo has blamed Serbia for orchestrating the violence, while Belgrade denies involvement, labeling the incident a plot to undermine Kosovo Serbs. However, Politico reveals that British officials privately acknowledge there is evidence linking Serbia to the Banjska attack.
Following the assault, Kosovo authorities reported an explosion targeting key energy and water infrastructure, calling it a terrorist act. The attack has intensified accusations against Serbia for destabilizing activities in the region, with Kosovo leaders warning of the real risk of renewed conflict, pointing to Serbia’s ties with Russia, China, and Iran.
In a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani pressed for a bilateral security and arms agreement and offered Kosovo’s readiness to join a British-French peacekeeping force for Ukraine—conditional on the UK’s commitment to the deal.
Osmani also criticized certain unidentified EU actors for “active appeasement” of Serbia, condemning the continued financial support to Belgrade despite the rising tensions.
Kosovo, which officially applied for EU membership in 2022, still faces hurdles as five EU states do not recognize its independence. Both Kosovo and Serbia have been urged to make greater efforts toward normalizing relations.
Although Milan Radoičić, a key figure, admitted to organizing and participating in the attack, and faces terrorism charges in both Prishtina and Belgrade, he is believed to remain in Serbia. Meanwhile, residents of Banjska continue to live under the shadow of the September 24, 2024 attack, as police operations in the area frequently uncover hidden weapons.
