The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, stated that Russia and its ally Serbia pose a threat to Kosovo, calling on the European Union not to “reward Belgrade.”

Speaking to reporters ahead of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, Osmani said that Russia represents a threat to Europe, while Serbia is a threat to the Western Balkans region, accusing Belgrade of imitating Moscow’s actions.

“Serbia treats neighboring states as if they don’t exist, as temporary states, as states against which it acts with aggression. It is a copy of Russia’s methods. Unfortunately, Russia supports Serbia in these actions. Traditionally and for centuries, they have used a similar concept: Russia speaks of a ‘Greater Russia’ and the ‘Russian World,’ Serbia of a ‘Greater Serbia’ and the ‘Serbian World,’ and they employ the same methods. For us, both pose a threat,” Osmani said.

She stressed that in the Western Balkans, there is never a vacuum of influence. According to her, if there is no Western presence, “the malignant forces of the ‘Triangle of Evil’ – Russia, China, and Iran – always step in, not for charity, but for malicious strategic interests. That is why it is important to push enlargement forward, and those Western Balkan countries that meet the criteria and share EU values must be considered to move ahead.”

Later at the Copenhagen summit, Osmani met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. She wrote on Facebook that she emphasized to Rutte the decisive role of NATO in guaranteeing regional stability, as well as Kosovo’s commitment to being a reliable partner in facing common challenges.

“This meeting was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm our readiness for regular coordination in defense of peace and security in Kosovo and the entire Western Balkans,” she said.