Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has threatened to alter the course of the Ibar River within Serbian territory, openly linking such a move to political developments in Kosovo and what he describes as the “mistreatment” of Serbs by authorities in Pristina.
“We have already invited experts who deal with this issue, engineers, and other professionals. Since they are mistreating our people so much, let us see — we have various reasons for changing the course of the Ibar, and we will see what the Albanians will do and how they will behave,” Vučić said during a visit to construction works on the old railway bridge in Belgrade.
Vučić invoked Serbia’s sovereignty to justify the possibility of taking such measures.
“We are a sovereign state. Sometimes we have certain interests, sometimes others, and we will act accordingly,” he said.
He then continued with Belgrade’s narrative regarding the position of Serbs in Kosovo, claiming that they are facing extremely difficult conditions and portraying Belgrade as their primary protector.
During the same appearance, the Serbian president also spoke about NATO, stating that a military conflict with the alliance is not an option for Serbia under the current circumstances.
“For those who claim to be great defenders of our people, ask our people in Kosovo whom they see as their sole protector. I understand these circumstances well and deal with them every day. It is very difficult. But is it an option for us at this moment to go to war with NATO? I don’t think it is,” Vučić said.
