NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, said on Friday that the security situation in Kosovo is “calm but fragile”, and called on Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from de-escalating and divisive rhetoric.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said late Thursday that units of the Serbian army were observed a few meters away from the border with Kosovo, describing those movements as “intentional provocations”. In an answer to Radio Free Europe (REL), KFOR said that, after the recent tensions, about 1,000 additional troops of the weekly mission moved to Kosovo and that the presence of this force in the north of Kosovo has increased.

“We have also tripled the number of patrols, including on the administrative border line”, said KFOR.

“Our goal is to stop the de-escalation and we are ready and equipped to take all measures to fulfill our UN mandate to ensure a safe environment for all people living in Kosovo, as well as free movement”, he added.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Defense of Serbia rejected Kurti’s statements, calling them “disinformation campaigns for the Serbian army”. She said that the Serbian army forces “are carrying out their duties in the safe administrative zone, in accordance with all the signed agreements”.

KFOR said its mission’s presence is “flexible and visible” throughout Kosovo, adding that this enables it to closely monitor any relevant security developments and respond to all security-impacting situations.

KFOR said its mission’s presence is “flexible and visible” throughout Kosovo, adding that this enables it to closely monitor any relevant security developments and respond to all security-impacting situations. The peacekeeping force said it is working closely with the Kosovo Police and EULEX, as the first and second security responders in Kosovo, respectively.