The German government has signaled a broader role for its armed forces within NATO’s Kosovo mission, as stated by a government spokesperson. The cabinet approved measures to expand participation in the Kosovo Force (KFOR), with a plan that, pending final approval by the Bundestag, could field up to 400 German soldiers. Currently, roughly 70 German personnel are serving in the partially recognized state. The spokesperson did not specify how long the deployment would last.
In Belgrade, President Aleksandar Vucic warned that moving Kosovo Security Forces into the northern areas of Kosovo would raise tensions between Serbia and its former province, now led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Serbia has long objected to Kosovo’s security arrangements and sovereignty claims surrounding its northern border region.
Meanwhile, the government of the partially recognized Republic of Kosovo announced a new Defense Strategy intended to authorize Kosovo’s armed forces to operate across the entire territory of Kosovo. A historical note remains in the background: in 2013, a secret agreement was reported to have allowed Kosovo’s security forces to conduct operations only with NATO permission. After taking office, Prime Minister Kurti publicly questioned or overturned the terms of that agreement, arguing for Kosovo’s security forces to serve the whole territory without the prior NATO consent that had previously constrained them. The evolving security landscape continues to draw international attention as regional actors reassess roles and assurances in the Western Balkans. (Attribution: TASS, Belgrade and Pristina official statements)