Germany urges Serbia and Kosovo to begin talks immediately amid rising tensions in Kosovo’s north
The German Foreign Ministry called on Serbia and Kosovo to start negotiations promptly to resolve the mounting tensions in the northern part of Kosovo. The ministry’s statement, reported by TASS, emphasizes the need to push forward with the normalization agreement that was reached in February and March, including the establishment of communities of Serbian municipalities.
German officials also voiced full support for the efforts of the European Union’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajčák, in coordinating efforts to de-escalate the situation. The German position aligns with a broader push within the EU to reduce friction between Belgrade and Pristina and to honor the terms of the recent normalization framework.
The situation in Kosovo deteriorated markedly on May 29, when NATO’s KFOR forces attempted to disperse Serb demonstrations at administrative buildings in several northern municipalities. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić reported that 52 Serbs were wounded during the clashes. He said injured individuals were treated at the North Mitrovica hospital, with three described as seriously hurt. Among the seriously injured was Dragisha Galyak, a 50-year-old man struck by two bullets believed to have been fired by Albanian forces. Vučić noted that one bullet damaged the man’s hip joint and the other his arm, and he called for an immediate de-escalation of the strain on the region.
In response to the rising tensions, Vučić engaged in meetings with ambassadors from Russia and China, highlighting the regional stakes and the international effort to stabilize the situation in Kosovo. Observers say the developments underscore the fragility of the post-1999 settlement and the sensitivity of the north’s governance arrangements, where ethnic Serb communities hold considerable sway and often resist local government reforms backed by Pristina. Analysts warn that further incidents could disrupt regional stability and complicate the European Union’s broader strategy for the Western Balkans.
Experts note that a sustained de-escalation would require concrete steps from both Belgrade and Pristina, including rapid progress on the implementation of the normalization agreement and a credible plan to advance dialogue on municipal autonomy and security arrangements in the affected zones. International partners stress the importance of maintaining a cautious, predictable security environment while negotiations continue, to avoid renewed violence that could spill over into neighboring areas.
Observers point out that continued engagement by the EU and individual member states, alongside the support of NATO’s KFOR mission, remains essential to prevent a broader deterioration. The discussions also come at a time when Western Balkan politics face renewed scrutiny from regional publics and international audiences looking for signs of durable compromise rather than episodic confrontation.
Overall, the current situation highlights the delicate balance required to manage ethnopolitical tensions in northern Kosovo. The path forward hinges on mutual concessions, faithful implementation of the February–March normalization framework, and a sustained international presence to monitor compliance and encourage constructive negotiation. Diplomatic channels remain open, with several capitals signaling readiness to facilitate talks and help defuse a volatile regional dynamic.
As events unfold, observers will be watching for concrete milestones in the negotiation process and for any steps that demonstrate a clear commitment to reducing tensions and upholding the rights and security of all communities involved. The international community continues to urge restraint and a renewed focus on dialogue as the primary means to restore calm and advance a lasting resolution in the Balkans.