Why has trouble flared up now?
Relationships between the Albanian-dominated government and the Serb minority have been strained for years.

In 2022, tensions led to civil disobedience. Kosovo's government wanted to make those in majority ethnic Serb areas swap their Serbian-issued car number plates for Kosovan-issued ones.

Some 50,000 people in these areas refused to use Kosovan number plates because they do not recognise Kosovo's independence.

In the summer, ethnic Serbs in the northern region of Kosovo, which borders Serbia, barricaded roads and some men reportedly fired shots in protest.

Kosovo's government postponed implementing the new rules.

The EU mediated an agreement between the two sides, defusing the tension.

Under the deal, Kosovo will drop its plan to fine holders of Serbian-issued number plates and Serbia will stop issuing registrations with the initials of towns in Kosovo.

However, further unrest was triggered by the arrest of a former Serb police officer on 10 December in northern Kosovo. Local police exchanged fire with unknown groups.

Was Russia involved?
Serbia and Russia are traditional allies.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Serbia refused to join other European nations' sanctions regime.

In May, Mr Vucic signed what he said was a favourable gas deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blamed the Kosovo tension on Kosovan authorities imposing "groundless discriminatory rules".

An MP from Mr Vucic's party said Serbia would soon be compelled to begin the "denazification of the Balkans" - using the same language President Putin used to justify his invasion of Ukraine. He later apologised for his words.

Kosovo's President, Vjosa Osmani, said Mr Putin could use Kosovo to widen the current conflict in Ukraine and destabilise Europe further.

A total of 99 out of 193 United Nations countries now recognise Kosovo's independence, including the US, the UK and 22 out of 27 EU countries.

But Russia and China, which do not, have blocked Kosovo's membership of the UN.

And Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has vowed Serbia would never recognise Kosovo as an independent country.

Neither Kosovo nor Serbia are in the EU - but:

Serbia has been an EU candidate country since 2012 and Kosovo indicated it would like to apply by the end of 2022.

Pictures of The Nato-led Kosovo Force (KFor) patrolling the Kosovo-Serbia border.

madridguy:


Another annex of Russia vs USA/NATO palava.

lhordspy:
Here we go again.

Who would have thought same NATO supplying billions of dollars of war equipment to Ukraine to 'defend ukraine's territory' and preventing Luhansk and Donetsk region of East Ukraine from breaking away.
Once invaded Serbia; bombed them almost into ruin just to let kosovo secede and breakaway.

Is it not amazing and surprising. This level of hypocrisy is top-notch.

obedience4:
There will be no war please, Serbia government are smart to know that, the presence of the NATO kfor is enough deterrent, ..Serbia will shout like they always do and return back to their cave

Offpointng:
Pls and Pls make the war no enter Belgrade go kee my Girlfriend o abeg. I think I should even bring her to 9ja sef

Righteousness2:
The World is on the verge of War! Not just Serbia and Kosovo.
Israel is on the verge of Striking Iran's Nuclear facility
China is on the verge of swallowing Taiwan
Russia is on the verge of completely amnihilating ukraine
Russia is on verge of a war with NATO
Russia/Iran/ North Korea/ China are on the verge of bringing down. Mystery Babylon aka Nomerica
Russia/ Iran and the Gog Magog Collation are on the verge of Invading Israel.

The Holy Bible , the Word of GOD is being Fulfilled live before our Eyes.
The Antichrist is at the verge of showing up on the World stage.

The RAPTURE is Imminent!
Anymoment ! Anyday! JESUS Christ will take out HIS own out of this Sinking ship.

Make your ways right with JESUS Christ to Avoid stories that touch the Heart.
Make your ways right with JESUS Christ to Avoid regrets and Lamentations.
It will be so terrible here after the RAPTURE.

kmaster007:
You no knw mayb Ur girl don dey date sum1 else lol