Persistent Kremlin-Aligned Modus Operandi
The Ukrainian conflict has shed light on the true nature of Serbian diplomacy. Former President Boris Tadic, in 2009, declared Serbia’s intention to maintain positive relations with both China and Russia, alongside the West. The current President, Vucic, continues this approach of non-aligned diplomacy, reminiscent of Tito’s era. However, this claimed “balancing” and “non-alignment” masks an ongoing alignment with Kremlin rhetoric.
Vucic has consistently refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia since the onset of the Ukrainian conflict. Subsequently, Russia and Serbia agreed to synchronise their foreign policies and maintain ongoing consultations on international affairs, even as Serbia remains an EU candidate state.
Appeasement was the strategy that the European Union chose to pursue despite the numerous warning signs that were there. A false hope of normalisation was instilled in March 2023, when an agreement brokered by the European Union was reached on words only in Ohrid. The agreement was supposed to establish better relations and bring a de facto recognition for Kosovo. However, the agreement was brutally broken three months later, with the kidnapping of three Albanian police officers from Kosovo from within the territory of Kosovo, along with constant military posturing on the border between the two countries.
Everything culminated on September the 24th 2023, when several armed terrorists, led by Milan Radoicic, entered a monastery in Northern Kosovo in an attempt to instil chaos, and potentially pave the way for the annexation of Northern Kosovo into mainland Serbia. One Kosovar Albanian policeman was killed in the process, others wounded, but ultimately, their operation failed thanks to the diligence and professionalism of Kosovo authorities. Milan Radoicic is an oligarch close to Vucic, former member of Kosovo-Serb minority party “Srpska Lista”. Vucic characterised Radoicic as a “freedom fighter” and declared that the Kosovo Serbs are tired of “Kurti’s terror”. Vucic also held talks with the Russian Ambassador, declaring that there is an “ethnic cleansing” going on in Kosovo, supported by the West. Radoicic was firstly arrested, but then released by the Serbian authorities following a fraudulent apprehension. Not so long ago, he was seen dining with Serbian Ambassador to the US, Marko Djuric.
It is noteworthy to observe that subsequent to these occurrences, Vucic uttered a series of really peculiar assertions. He emphasised that it is crucial for Serbia to patiently await better geopolitical conditions before proceeding with any measures regarding Kosovo. He made a comparison and commended the instance of Azerbaijan’s annexation of Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that it took them 27 years to complete the process.
Three months later, in December, the Serbian government began a covert campaign of official passivization and erasure of ethnic Albanians living in Presheva and Medvegja from institutions. The goal of the mission was to make it impossible for these individuals to continue existing and to reside in the area. This was also done with the explicit intention of depriving them of the right to vote and preventing them from influencing Serbian domestic politics, given that elections were scheduled to occur in the same month.
The European Union is now conducting an inquiry into the elections, alleging deliberate mismanagement and fraudulent activities. Multiple anomalies were uncovered, providing more evidence that Serbia is a very defective democracy and a highly autocratic system. This February, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the EU to stop funding Serbia, if they fail to implement the EP’s election recommendations, and if electoral fraud is proven. These faulty elections are accompanied by a significant decrease in civil liberties and media freedom, as well as by Vucic’s endorsement of Putin’s re-election in March 2024.
Recent revelations reported from POLITICO.eu — suggest Serbian citizen Novica Antic collaborated with Russia’s intelligence agency to promote pro-Kremlin narratives in the Ukraine war among European Parliament members and trade unions. These MEPs include German Greens legislator Viola von Cramon, Italian Socialists & Democrats lawmaker Alessandra Moretti, and conservative European People’s Party Group member Vladimír Bilcík from Slovakia. Antic, an “agent of influence” for Russia’s FSB, collaborated with FSB-affiliated Veteran News editor-in-chief Vyacheslav Kalinin. While MEPs and trade unions claim ignorance of Antic’s links, questions remain about European institutions’ susceptibility to state-sponsored manipulation.
Kosovo’s CoE Accession: A Game-changing Prospect
Kosovo applied for membership in the Council of Europe (CoE) in May 2022, taking advantage of Russia’s expulsion following the Ukraine invasion, as without Russia, two-thirds of CoE member states recognise Kosovo, meeting the requirement for approval.
Recently, the CoE’s Parliamentary Assembly committee on Political Affairs and Democracy recommended accepting Kosovo’s application, signalling a significant step forward despite Serbia’s strong opposition. The vote saw 31 states in favour, while 2 members from Serbia, one from Montenegro, and one from Bosnia and Herzegovina, all of them with pro-Serbian and Russian sentiment, voted against. This happened soon after the government of Kosovo decided to implement a court ruling that gave disputed land to a Serbian monastery.
Vucic stated that Serbia might leave the CoE if Kosovo joins. However, the recommendation for Kosovo’s membership underscores the momentum toward strengthening human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the region, with the potential for Kosovo’s eventual accession catalysing further progress. On April 18, the whole assembly will convene to cast a vote on Kosovo’s invitation to join the Council of Europe. Kosovo has a decent possibility of becoming a member, especially when one considers that the agreement of two-thirds is all that is required for membership. Greece has demonstrated a steady change by increasing relations with Kosovo and never harming Kosovo by simply abstaining from voting. This is indicative of the fact that Serbia’s position is significantly weaker without Russia.
When Serbia departs the Council of Europe, it would not come as a surprise. By gaining membership, Kosovo would be able to get access to the European Court of Human Rights, which would result in a multitude of legal opportunities being made available to Kosovo and its population. Following in the footsteps of Serbia, another autocratic nation, Azerbaijan, months earlier made the decision to abstain from participating in this body for similar reasons. This exemplifies the gradual withdrawal of undemocratic nations from Europe and their unrestricted access into European institutions, while simultaneously creating opportunities and paving the way for diligent and democratic allies such as Kosovo.
On public television Vucic has been urging the EU to pick between Serbia and Kosovo. He even stated that difficult days are coming for Serbia. He stated that he has received news in the last 48 hours which directly threaten the vital national interests of both Serbia and Srpska. Two days later, there were reports of a potential arrest of Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. At the same time, “BRICS News” on X, reported that Serbia has been invited to attend the BRICS 2024 summit.
The identification of “who stands with who” is remarkably uncomplicated based on this comprehensive pattern. The EU’s hesitancy to penalise Serbia for its consistent support of anti-Western and undemocratic forces has facilitated Serbia’s continued participation in this game. Nevertheless, in light of Kosovo’s ongoing democratic progress and development, as well as its potential accession to the CoE, this game may soon be over. False ‘non-alignment’ and ‘balancing’ by Serbia are coming to an end not of its own accord, not due to the EU’s ferocious opposition, but as a result of Kosovo’s unwavering resolve and laborious efforts to demonstrate its value to democratic nations and allies.
Rron Dragidella
Rron Dragidella, a senior researcher from Kosovo and final-year International Relations student at Corvinus University of Budapest, contributes as a writer for the Frontliner. Specializing in European Integration, he brings a deep understanding to his analyses of global geopolitical and security dynamics.
With a keen interest in history complementing his grasp of current affairs, Rron offers a distinctive perspective on international issues. His insightful contributions promise to blend historical context with contemporary developments, providing Frontliner readers with a comprehensive and enlightening view of the forces shaping our world.
