Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has described Turkey’s delivery of combat drones to Kosovo as “illegal”, while emphasizing that Serbia seeks to maintain the “closest possible relations” with Ankara.
“I ask for respect for the elementary norms of international law and for the interests of Serbia and the Serbian people,” Vučić said in an emergency press conference on Thursday, reacting to reports that Kosovo received a new shipment of weapons and military equipment from Turkey.
The remarks came a day after Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that “thousands” of SkyDager kamikaze drones had arrived from Turkey ahead of schedule.
“My duty is to build good relations with Turkey,” Vučić said, “but when I see that my people are threatened by an unlawful arms delivery, I must stand by my people and defend their interests.”
He added that Serbia demands respect for international law, citing UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and revealed that he would raise the issue directly with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“I also asked him last year to stop arming Pristina,” Vučić noted.
The Serbian president warned that Kosovo’s government is allocating “significant funds” to advance its plan of transforming the Kosovo Security Force into a regular army, a move Belgrade deems contrary to international law.
“This is not a force that can defeat or intimidate Serbia,” Vučić said, “but it is a worrying signal that the intention to continue this policy remains.”
Vučić further called on the United Nations to respond and ensure compliance with existing resolutions, insisting that Serbia “will preserve peace and stability” despite rising tensions.
On Kosovo’s upcoming local elections on October 12, Vučić urged the Serb community to vote for the Serb List, calling it “a responsible political force that defends the interests of the Serbian people.”
The Serb List—supported by Belgrade—has long been dominant in Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo and previously boycotted local elections, leading to heightened tensions and protests over Albanian mayors taking office.
