In a move that has stirred significant controversy, the US-funded Kosovo-based NGO S Bunker recently invited Elvira Kovac, a pro-Vladimir Putin and pro-Viktor Orban politician, to speak at an event. The invitation is seen as a strategic attempt to criticise Kosovo’s democratically elected leadership, which has steadfastly refused to capitulate to Serbia’s interests, aiming to cement its power within the republic of Kosovo under the guise of the Association for Serb Municipalities (ASM) in Kosovo, akin to the Republika Srpska model in Bosnia.
In a brief 39-second introductory speech, Kovac remarked, “This entire region of the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, has a history of nationalist rhetoric. The problem is that the current leadership, including Albin Kurti, gains political strength by leveraging this rhetoric. I have no better way to describe it. He is not constructive at all, and lately, it seems like no one cares whether the Western Balkan region is making progress towards the European Union.”
About Elvira Kovac
Elvira Kovac, a member of the Serbian Parliament and an ally of Viktor Orban, has consistently expressed support for both Orban and Vladimir Putin. She has echoed Orban’s stance on maintaining strong bilateral relations with Russia despite the European Union’s broader opposition, especially regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Kovac has praised Orban’s efforts to position Hungary as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict, emphasising the importance of dialogue and peace talks. However, these efforts have been criticised by EU leaders, who argue that they undermine the bloc’s unified stance against Russian aggression.
Orban’s meetings with Putin, including a significant one in July 2024, have been described by Kovac and other supporters as crucial steps toward peace and stability in the region. They argue that Hungary’s unique position allows it to communicate with both Kyiv and Moscow, a role they believe is essential for facilitating dialogue and potentially ending the war. However, these meetings have drawn criticism from EU officials, who accuse Orban of appeasement and acting without an EU mandate, thereby potentially weakening the EU’s collective response to the war in Ukraine.
🎙️#TheKosovoKey by @AStranica: Kovács on the #WesternBalkans, the #EU and the strengthening of national rhetoric
— Sbunker (@sbunker) July 25, 2024
🎧Elvira Kovac
🔊https://t.co/Wzk8CZV7T5 pic.twitter.com/qt2TBM6irp
US-Kosovo Cooperation on Countering Disinformation
On May 19, 2024, the US Department of State emphasised the strategic priority of advancing Kosovo along its path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration during a meeting between Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Liz Allen and Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu in Pristina. They signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Kosovo on countering foreign state information manipulation. This MOU is part of the broader US-led Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation, aimed at developing coordinated responses to foreign information manipulation and protecting free and open societies.
S Bunker and Breach of Agreement
S Bunker’s recent actions, including providing a platform to Elvira Kovac, directly contravene the principles outlined in the MOU between the United States and Kosovo. Here’s how:
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National Strategies and Policies:
- Violation: By inviting a politician known for supporting Russian interests, S Bunker undermines Kosovo’s national strategies aimed at countering foreign state information manipulation.
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Governance Structures and Institutions:
- Violation: S Bunker’s actions do not align with the coordinated national efforts to counter foreign information manipulation, potentially weakening governance structures.
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Human and Technical Capacity:
- Violation: Providing a platform to Kovac diminishes the efforts to build effective capacities and detect foreign state information manipulation.
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Civil Society, Independent Media, and Academia:
- Violation: Supporting voices like Kovac’s contradicts the goal of promoting independent media and protecting democratic discourse from foreign influence.
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Multilateral Engagement:
- Violation: S Bunker’s actions can hinder the multilateral cooperation needed to build resilience against foreign information manipulation, as outlined in the MOU.
By enabling pro-Putin rhetoric through Elvira Kovac, S Bunker not only violates the tenets of the MOU but also risks undermining Kosovo’s democratic institutions and its path towards European integration. This move calls into question the NGO’s commitment to the values of media freedom, minority rights, and regional stability, which are foundational to the US-Kosovo partnership.
This is not the first time S Bunker has breached such agreements. The NGO has consistently propagated pro-Serbian rhetoric, undermining the Republic of Kosovo’s interests and sovereignty. Their actions repeatedly appear to align with Serbian and Russian geopolitical agendas, casting doubt on their commitment to democratic values and regional stability. Silence on this issue will only embolden Putin’s strategies, giving him a significant advantage in one of the United States’ most reliable allies in the Balkans. The continued allowance of such conduct by S Bunker poses a severe threat to Kosovo’s democratic integrity and its path towards European integration.
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