BELGRADE, May 29 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that Belgrade would do everything possible to maintain peace in Kosovo, but would not allow the killing of its people.
“I call on the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, I know how they feel and how hard it is for them, not to enter into conflict with NATO, not because I am scared or some of us are scared, none of us personally have anything to lose, but because this wants (Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Kosovo Albin — ed.) Kurti… If the Albanian occupier starts shooting, then the situation will be completely different, and I told everyone in NATO,» Vučić said in an address to citizens.
» We will do everything in our power to keep the peace.I repeat once again and ask the international community to reason with Albin Kurti, not with meaningless messages, while giving him everything from visa liberalization to membership in the Council of Europe and 10 years without the formation of a Community of Serbian Communities, but to accept measures, if this is not done, I'm afraid it will be too late for all of us,» the Serbian leader said.
He stressed that the leadership of Serbia behaves responsibly, takes into account the interests of all citizens, but «will not allow any persecution, or pogroms, or the killing of our people in Kosovo and Metohija.» Vučić intends to spend Monday evening and night with servicemen near the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija.
On Monday, thousands of Kosovo Serbs gathered in front of local government buildings in the province's north, demanding the withdrawal of the Kosovo police and the recall of the Kosovo Albanian mayors. Soldiers of the NATO KFOR contingent with means to disperse demonstrations were distributed near the buildings of the municipalities of Zvecan, Leposavich and Zubin Potok. Behind them were a large Kosovo police force that prevented the Kosovo Serbs from approaching the buildings. Around 17.00 (18.00 Moscow time), clashes began between the protesters and the security forces. Tear gas was used, dozens of stun grenades were thrown, there was shooting.
According to Vučić, 52 Serbs were injured, three of them seriously wounded. Security forces detained four Serbs. According to the President of Serbia, 41 KFOR fighters were injured, most of them Hungarians and Italians, three NATO soldiers were seriously injured.
The President of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo, Vyosa Osmani, accused Vučić of organizing unrest in the north of the province and attacks on police, NATO KFOR contingent and journalists. Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said on Sunday that tensions in Kosovo have reached a maximum and may escalate into an armed conflict, units of the Serbian Armed Forces continue to be distributed and take up positions in the direction of the administrative line with Kosovo and Metohija. The National Security Council of Serbia reported on Saturday that the NATO contingent in Kosovo and Metohija KFOR did not act according to its authority under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 during the forceful action of the police of the self-proclaimed republic in the north of the province on Friday, the Serbian army remains at maximum combat readiness.
img src=»/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ec6b3385dee878974772d796273c2e67.jpg» />Yesterday, 19:19InfographicKosovo and Metohija: where Serbs liveView