The arrival of a powerful new defense system in the Balkans on Wednesday did more than just strengthen the capabilities of the Kosovo Security Force (FSK) — it sent political shockwaves through a region where Turkey has spent years carefully cultivating diplomatic influence. According to TurkeyToday, containers carrying thousands of advanced Turkish-made kamikaze drones, known as “Skydagger,” arrived in Pristina this week under a defense contract with the renowned Turkish manufacturer Baykar.
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| Skydagger Drones with Kosovo flag on |
Serbian Reaction: “Violation of International Law”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić responded harshly, accusing Turkey of breaching international law and destabilizing the Western Balkans.
“I am horrified by Turkey’s behavior and its blatant violation of the UN Charter and Resolution 1244, as well as by the further arming of the authorities in Pristina,” Vučić wrote on social media.
He went further, accusing Ankara of pursuing “neo-Ottoman” ambitions in the region.
“It is now completely clear that Turkey does not want stability in the Western Balkans and dreams again of reviving the Ottoman Empire,” Vučić said. “Serbia is a small country, but it understands very well the goals of this policy.”
Accusations of “neo-Ottomanism” have long been a recurring theme in Balkan politics whenever Ankara deepens its influence in the region. However, most analysts argue that Turkey’s foreign policy remains pragmatic — focused primarily on economic development and regional stability. Despite the rhetoric, Turkish-Serbian economic ties are at an all-time high, marking what some call a “golden era” in bilateral trade.
Double Standards in the Balkans
Ironically, Serbia itself has been modernizing its own arsenal through military cooperation with Russia and China — two nations in open confrontation with the West. In July, Serbian special forces held joint exercises with a Chinese brigade, ignoring objections from both the EU and the United States.
This contradiction reveals a double standard: while Belgrade claims the right to strengthen its military, it refuses to recognize the same right for its neighbors — particularly Kosovo, which it still considers part of its territory.
Kosovo’s Response: “A Proud Partnership with a NATO Power”
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani was quick to condemn Vučić’s comments, calling them “shameful” and reaffirming her country’s alliance with Turkey.
“I am proud to have worked closely with President Erdogan — a man of his word who has shown genuine care for all the people of the region and made an outstanding contribution to stability and security,” Osmani stated.
She added that Vučić “believes he can intimidate a major NATO country like Turkey the same way he intimidates smaller neighbors,” and highlighted the hypocrisy of Serbia’s growing military cooperation with Russia, China, and Iran.
So far, Ankara has remained diplomatically silent, with no official response from the highest levels of the Turkish government.
A NATO Ally Supporting a Partner
Analysts note that Turkey’s drone delivery to Kosovo aligns with, rather than contradicts, its policy of stability. As a NATO member, Turkey views Kosovo as a natural partner on the path toward Euro-Atlantic integration — a process Ankara openly supports.
The move also coincides with a leadership change in NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR). Just days before the drones arrived, Major General Özkan Ulutaş of Turkey took command of KFOR — marking the second time a Turkish general has held this position in recent years.
Turkey maintains one of the largest contingents within KFOR, which operates under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 — the same resolution Serbia cites to claim that the drone deal is illegal.
This paradox undermines Belgrade’s accusations: how can Turkey be accused of destabilizing the region when it leads the very mission responsible for maintaining peace and neutrality in Kosovo?
Political Timing: Ahead of Kosovo’s October 12 Elections
The diplomatic clash comes just days before Kosovo’s local elections on October 12, a time often marked by heightened ethnic tensions and political debates over Serb-majority municipalities.
For President Vučić, the controversy serves as a convenient distraction. He faces ongoing mass protests across Serbia over corruption and abuse of power. By escalating tensions with a NATO ally and reviving nationalist rhetoric, Vučić effectively diverts public attention from domestic crises toward an external “enemy.”
Meanwhile, for Turkey, the message remains clear: maintaining strong economic ties with Serbia is important, but not at the expense of its strategic and defense commitments to Kosovo.
Turkey’s Role: A Peacekeeper Under Pressure
Ankara’s role in the Balkans has always been multifaceted — part peacekeeper, part mediator, and increasingly, a regional defense innovator through its rapidly expanding drone diplomacy. The “Skydagger” drones are not just military assets; they symbolize Turkey’s technological rise and its growing soft power across former Ottoman territories.
Rather than choosing sides, Turkey appears committed to a balanced approach: working with both Serbia and Kosovo, while promoting pragmatic cooperation and collective security. In a historically fragile region, this might be the only sustainable path toward long-term peace.