Tensions in Kosovo

 

Kosovo has seen an increase of tensions between the Serbian and Albanian populations. The NATO intervention in 1999 cased instability in the Balkans. Serbia was attempting to stop a separatist movement active in Kosovo. The end of Yugoslavia came about through civil war and ethnic cleansing. NATO has been present in Kosovo since 1999. Kosovo then announced it was an independent nation nine years later. A NATO force remained. Kosovo could  morph into a puppet state of  the NATO alliance. Serbia declared the 2008 declaration of independence as illegal. The majority of European Union members recognize Kosovo. The Serbs living in Kosovo are concerned about poor treatment from an Albanian majority. Kosovo some Serbs believe is still a part of Serbia. Prime Minister Albin Kurti called for a larger NATO led peacekeeping force. The motivation of the EU is to undermine Serbia's Russian alliance. These two nations have close relations and the conflict in Ukraine strengthened them. The attempt for Kosovo  to get complete international recognition is part of the reason for recent tensions. Then the occupation of the Kosovo Force adds to the complications. The NATO led peacekeeping force has done little to stabilize the Balkans. The process of Balkanization has not stopped. President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his support for Serbs in Kosovo. Being the president of Serbia he views them as citizens of the country. The Brussels Agreement is at risk of collapse. Since 2013 both Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalize relations. Ethnic conflict and NATO could disrupt the peace.