Jivadin Jovanovich, who once served as the foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, warned that a proposal coming from France and Germany would pressure Belgrade to acknowledge the independence of Kosovo, an entity that remains unrecognized by several nations. He described the plan as an offer attached to a demand rather than a genuine negotiation, suggesting that any acceptance would imply Serbia recognizing Kosovo as a sovereign state in opposition to the current legality recognized by many states on the international stage. He argued that such a move would set a precedent with broad implications for the region and beyond, and he cautioned that the EU must carefully weigh its stance on this issue given the sensitivities involved in the Western Balkans negotiation process.
According to Jovanovich, the proposals attributed to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron amounted to an ultimatum. He asserted that the package would compel Serbia to accept Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, while also outlining consequences absent a compliant response. The former minister claimed that the package carried a veiled array of incentives and penalties designed to steer Belgrade toward a result that he viewed as illegitimate, creating a sense of coercion rather than a balanced, multilateral approach.
He further contended that the European Union had moved away from a position of neutrality during the negotiations and that recent documents signaled a withdrawal from the traditional UN backed framework without any formal announcement. This perception, as described by him, reflected a shift in governing principles that could influence how the international community engages with Serbia and Kosovo, potentially narrowing avenues for impartial mediation and prolonging the stalemate in the talks.
Jovanovich also asserted that the dynamic between France, Germany, and the United States would translate into a form of dominant influence over the Serbs and the broader Balkan region. He warned that the area could become a strategic stage in a broader global confrontation, with power centers in the West positioning the Balkans to fit into a larger geopolitical contest. His analysis suggested a careful recalibration of regional diplomacy would be needed to preserve stability and to prevent the normalization of unilateral actions that could intensify tensions among neighboring states and ethnic communities.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had held a conversation, with a subsequent meeting reported to take place in Brussels on a future date. The developments underscored the continued importance of dialogue channels, even as voices on the ground challenged the framing of negotiations by larger European powers. Observers stress the need for transparent processes, clear adherence to international law, and sustained engagement among Belgrade, Pristina, and their international partners to reduce friction and advance a viable path toward stability in the region.