Angelo Michele Ristuccia, the commander of NATO’s Kosovo mission, KFOR, announced on Friday that additional troops from Romania will soon be deployed to Kosovo, in addition to the recent reinforcements sent by the United Kingdom.
He also mentioned that there will be additional reinforcements from “other allied countries”.
In a farewell press conference held in Pristina as he concludes his tenure, Ristuccia emphasized the need to increase the number of troops in Kosovo to ensure KFOR can effectively carry out its mandate.
Ristuccia cited recent incidents, particularly in north Kosovo, and expressed concerns that these events indicate an unstable situation that could escalate rapidly.
He underscored that a political solution is the only way to guarantee long-term peace in the Balkan region and reiterated KFOR’s support for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia aimed at normalizing their relations.
The recent escalation of tensions in Kosovo occurred following attacks on Kosovo Police in Zvecan’s Banjska village on September 24.
This resulted in the tragic death of police officer Afrim Bunjaku and the killing of three Serbian attackers in the ensuing exchange of gunfire.
While Kosovo attributed the attack to Serbia, Serbia denied any involvement.
The outgoing KFOR commander noted that the current situation in Kosovo is relatively calmer than in previous days, but he warned that without political negotiations, the situation could become even more volatile and unstable.
Ristuccia stressed the importance of both parties coming to the negotiating table and expressed KFOR’s full support for diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing situation.
Regarding the possibility of establishing a new military base in Kosovo, Ristuccia stated that he does not believe it is necessary.
He pointed out that KFOR’s responsibilities include securing Kosovo’s border area with Serbia, and there are already deployed forces in that region. He also mentioned that the challenging mountainous terrain allows for various movements.
Regarding the entry of confiscated weaponry into Kosovo, the KFOR commander mentioned that investigations are ongoing. However, considering the quantity and type of weaponry involved, it is clear that the aim of the attack was to destabilize the region.
“The situation following the resignation of Serbs from Kosovo’s institutions, including around 570 police officials, has created a highly dangerous vacuum in the north. This insecurity is a concern for us. Therefore, we call for an immediate return to the negotiation table,” Ristuccia stated, emphasizing the need for the reintegration of Serbs into Kosovo’s institutions.
Serbs in Kosovo resigned from Kosovo’s institutions in November of last year as a sign of dissatisfaction with a decision by the Government of Kosovo to re-register vehicles with illegal Serbian license plates in the Republic of Kosovo.
