Belgrade/Pristina – Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo remain high as Serbia’s Foreign Serbia continues its hostile rhetoric toward Kosovo as Foreign Minister Marko Gjurić claims Serbs are “second-class citizens” and attacks international support for Pristina ahead of local elections.
Minister, Marko Gjurić, renewed his accusations against Pristina during an interview with the state broadcaster RTS. Gjurić repeated the usual narrative, claiming that Serbs in Kosovo are “suffering” and that Belgrade is dissatisfied with the stance of the international community ahead of the upcoming local elections in Kosovo.
“Serbs Are Becoming Second-Class Citizens”
“The greatest guarantee of security for Serbs in Kosovo is our responsible policy, our army, and our friends around the world. The international community has closed its eyes to Albin Kurti’s apartheid in Kosovo. Serbs are becoming second-class citizens in that area. It is important that we remain united in the upcoming elections,” said Gjurić.
The minister’s remarks come as Kosovo prepares for local elections, with Western institutions closely monitoring political developments. While Belgrade insists it is protecting the rights of Kosovo Serbs, Pristina has repeatedly denounced Serbia’s statements as propaganda aimed at destabilizing the region.
Hypocrisy in Alliances
Critics point out the contradictions in Belgrade’s foreign policy. While Gjurić denounces defense and political agreements between Croatia and Slovenia, insisting that Serbia should have been consulted, he fails to acknowledge Serbia’s own deep military ties with Russia and China, alliances that run contrary to European values.
At the same time, he labeled the Albanian-Croatian alliance—a partnership between Tirana, Pristina, and Zagreb—as “a provocation,” accusing it of fueling divisions in the Balkans.
“All of this does not lead us toward greater trust and closer cooperation,” Gjurić stated.
Balancing East and West
Despite these accusations, the Serbian foreign minister claimed that Belgrade maintains good relations with all global powers—from Russia and China to the United States. He went as far as to argue that Serbia’s position in Washington has improved significantly.
“We have positioned Serbia much better in the eyes of the United States. Donald Trump’s administration has more respect for us,” Gjurić said, recalling a meeting in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Regional Implications
Gjurić’s remarks reflect Belgrade’s continued strategy of leveraging nationalist rhetoric while balancing ties between East and West. However, his statements also underline the growing geopolitical divide in the Balkans, where Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path collides with Serbia’s ambiguous foreign policy stance.
As local elections in Kosovo draw nearer, the international community remains wary of Serbia’s threats and propaganda, with fears that political rhetoric could once again escalate tensions on the ground.