Kosovo, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, as well as the Croatian and Bosnian members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, have condemned the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize the two eastern regions of Ukraine as independent entities. Donjeck and Luhansk, controlled by Moscow-backed separatists.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, stated that he supports the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine, a state that has not yet recognized the independence of Kosovo.
However, pro-government media in Serbia have reported that the Kremlin’s top intelligence officer, Nikolai Patrushev, who is a close aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will visit Belgrade on February 28th.
LVV MP Haki Abazi says that Kosovo is already known to have sided with Western countries in support of Ukraine’s integrity.
Abazi in “Debate Plus” with Ermal Panduri on RTV Dukagjini says that Kosovo is positioned right in the NATO alliance.
“But we must be prepared to defend the interests of Albanians in the Balkans vis-.-Vis Serbia. We need security vigilance. “The moment we join NATO, everything ends there”, declared Abazi, Telegrafi reports.
The majority MP says that the Security Council in Kosovo should convene in order to be in full coordination with the NATO presence.
“It is not a matter of fear or alarm, but to prepare and analyze scenarios,” said Abazi.
Retired General Fadil Hadërgjonaj says the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine will be global, including in the Balkans.
“We are aware that Russia has a growing influence in Serbia and the Serbs in Bosnia. “It can already be seen that diplomatic activities have been exhausted”, declared Hadërgjonaj.
Kreshnik Gashi from BIRN said that Kosovo should be careful in relation to the conflict in Ukraine.
“Institutions should ask citizens not to get involved in any possible war in Ukraine. There are potentials of people who are willing to get involved in such conflicts abroad. The citizens of Kosovo must understand that Kosovo enters a war only through the KSF “, declared Gashi.
International relations researcher Mirlind Behluli says the crisis in Ukraine could have some effects in Kosovo.
“The first is cyber attacks. May there be a return of unrest in the north. There may be a return to unrest in Montenegro and Bosnia. “Russia exploits two groups of the population: the ethnicity associated with the Slavs and the orthodox religious aspect,” Behluli further stated.
During the deepening crisis in Ukraine, Kosovo, in some cases, has stated that it offers support to Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of Kosovo has announced that it makes available to the United States of America certain units of the Kosovo Security Force, if necessary./Telegrafi/
