Serbia's Russian Alliance Thrives as EU Threatens Kosovo

The EU's punitive measures against Kosovo jeopardise stability in the Balkans, favouring Serbia's pro-Russian stance over Kosovo's unwavering commitment to democracy.

The European Union's recent actions toward the Republic of Kosovo reveal a troubling disconnect between Brussels and the reality on the ground in the Western Balkans. Kosovo, a nation born out of struggle and shaped by a steadfast commitment to democracy, is now being threatened by the very entity it has long viewed as a beacon of hope and progress. This small but resilient country, with nearly 100% of its population fervently supporting EU and Western values, finds itself isolated and under pressure from the EU—an institution that seems increasingly out of touch with its own principles.

Kosovo has always been a loyal ally of the West, consistently advocating for European integration and democratic governance in a region where such ideals are often under threat. Unlike Serbia, which has been steadily drifting into the orbit of Moscow, Kosovo has remained firmly aligned with Western policies. This alignment, however, has not spared it from the EU's heavy-handed tactics. The recent warnings from Peter Stano, the EU's spokesperson, that Kosovo risks being "left alone and behind" if it does not heed the advice of its so-called friends and allies, are not just misguided—they are dangerous.

At the heart of this controversy is the issue of the bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, a city divided between Kosovo's Albanian majority (south) and its Serb minority (north). The government of Kosovo announced plans to open this bridge to vehicular traffic, a move that was met with fierce opposition from the EU, the United States, and other QUINT countries. These powers argue that opening the bridge could destabilise the region, potentially endangering NATO troops, including American forces, stationed there. But this narrative conveniently ignores the underlying truth: the bridge was supposed to be opened years ago as part of the agreements reached in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The EU's sudden reversal on this issue not only undermines its credibility but also sends a chilling message to Kosovo—that its sovereignty is negotiable, and its right to govern its own territory is subject to the whims of external powers.