Kosovo allowed the possibility of holding new elections in the northern regions

In Kosovo, new elections may be held in the northern municipalities, where protests broke out earlier. This was stated by the President of the partially recognized republic Vyosa Osmani at the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova.

She explained that Kosovo was asked to hold new elections in order to allow the Serbs to participate in the procedure and to elect mayors with greater legitimacy. “And I informed that our legal mechanisms provide such an opportunity and we are ready to consider this in accordance with the law of Kosovo on elections,” noted Osmani (quote from RIA Novosti). She also clarified that Kosovo Serbs can initiate the electoral process by organizing an appropriate petition.

On May 26, another aggravation took place in the north of Kosovo and Metohija. Protests erupted in several Serb-majority municipalities over the outcome of the last election, which was won by Albanians despite a record low turnout as the local population boycotted the elections. Serbian protesters demanded the cancellation of the results and the resignation of the heads of municipalities. In response, the Kosovo police fired tear gas and stun grenades in some municipalities. As a result of the clashes, 52 Serbs and 41 KFOR peacekeepers were injured.

On the same day, the Serbian army was put on full alert and advanced to the administrative border with Kosovo. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the actions of the Kosovo authorities in connection with “new anti-Serb provocations.” The EU and NATO called on the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo to stop the escalation. On May 30, it became known that NATO would send an additional 700 troops to Kosovo and increase the readiness level of another battalion so that it could be sent if necessary.

June 1 Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić toldthat he had not communicated with his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin for a year. On May 31, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is in constant communication with Serbia through diplomatic channels. When asked if contacts between the presidents are planned, he said that “no at the highest level.”