Former Albanian ambassador to Moscow and Ukraine, Sokol Gjoka, has voiced concerns over the upcoming meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that the encounter may serve a calculated purpose against Kosovo.
According to Gjoka, Vučić’s visit to Moscow is not merely symbolic but part of a strategic Serbian maneuver to reinforce its political stance in the Balkans—with direct Kremlin support. He emphasized that the longstanding, robust ties between Serbia and Russia have been instrumental in shaping Serbia’s assertive policies, particularly regarding Kosovo.
“Serbia would not be where it is today without Russia’s backing,” Gjoka stated in an interview with Euronews Albania.
Gjoka went further, pointing out that alongside Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a regional hotspot, especially due to the separatist agenda of Republika Srpska, driven by its former leader Milorad Dodik. He noted that the Russian Orthodox Church plays a crucial ideological role in preserving this Serbo-Russian axis of influence.
He warned that Vučić is seeking political input and validation from the Kremlin, not only to strengthen their alliance but to leverage that support for domestic political gains and harden Serbia’s posture in the ongoing Kosovo dispute.
“Vučić wants to draw strength and endorsement from the Kremlin to continue his confrontational and aggressive policy toward Kosovo,” Gjoka added.
These remarks come at a time of heightened regional uncertainty, with the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue expected to return to the international spotlight in the coming months.
