Kipred: Russia wants the Kosovo-Serbia negotiations to fail.

It is emphasized in a study that was published by the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) that Russia does not view the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as an isolated one.

This is due to the fact that Russia has geopolitical goals in the Balkan region and for the purpose of preventing the region from being integrated into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The report titled “Russia’s Influence on the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue” claims that Russia does not want the dialogue to finish effectively and in accordance with the projects of Western countries. This is stated in the report.

“The lack of unanimity within the Euro-Atlantic community towards Kosovo, with five EU countries still not recognizing Kosovo’s independence, has created more room for maneuver for Russia to thwart Western efforts and engage with persistence in destroying the foundations of Kosovo’s citizenship and destabilizing the region” , according to the research.

As stated in the report, Russia’s objective is to undermine the foundations of Kosovo’s statehood, to invalidate Western policies on the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, and to possibly take the dialogue to the United Nations. Russia’s opposition to Kosovo’s independence persists.

“What this means is that Moscow will be able to directly regain an active position in regard to this process. The purpose of this endeavor is to bolster Russia’s involvement in the Balkans, particularly by preserving Russian influence in Serbia and among anti-Western groups in the region. According to the research conducted by the Kipred Institute, the goal is to “accumulate benefits in Ukraine and Georgia through transactional policies in which Kosovo will be used as a currency of exchange.”

According to the findings of the study, ever since the discussion between Kosovo and Serbia was initiated in 2011, official Moscow has made multiple attempts to diminish the role that the European Union plays in enabling the dialogue. Additionally, Moscow has consistently voiced its support for Serbia.

It is still the case that the Balkans are the only geopolitical zone in Europe that is not completely integrated into Western frameworks and that continues to have the ability to silently destabilize the entire Euro-Atlantic security architecture. Given these circumstances, the military assault that Putin has launched against Ukraine has resulted in a level of tension that has never been seen before between the Russian Federation, the United States of America, and the many major European countries. While this is going on, the report adds that the igniting of such a great competition between Russia and the Western powers would undoubtedly have a very substantial reflection in the Western Balkans as well.

It is included in the conversation for the normalization of relations with Pristina, despite the fact that Belgrade, which is supported by Moscow, is opposed to the declaration of independence for Kosovo that was made in February 2008 with the support of the United States of America and the principal nations of the European Union that were present at the time.

In order to improve relations, the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement a year ago, but they did not sign it. The accord was supported by the Western world. Despite the fact that the parties are supposed to respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, the agreement does not include any provisions for mutual recognition.

It is emphasized in a study that was published by the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) that Russia does not view the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia as an isolated one. This is due to the fact that Russia has geopolitical goals in the Balkan region and for the purpose of preventing the region from being integrated into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

This indicates that Moscow will be able to restore its active role in this process in a direct manner. The purpose of this endeavor is to bolster Russia’s involvement in the Balkans, particularly by preserving Russian influence in Serbia and among anti-Western groups in the region. According to the research conducted by the Kipred Institute, the goal is to “accumulate benefits in Ukraine and Georgia through transactional policies in which Kosovo will be used as a currency of exchange.”