Osmani: Vučić, like Putin, thinks hegemonistically - denies the existence of neighbors

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, in an interview with Finnish public television "Yle", said that Kosovo has never been a source of tension. She said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, like Vladimir Putin, thinks in a hegemonic way that denies the existence of neighbors.

Osmani said that Kosovo has continuously opened the door to friendship and cooperation with Serbia.

"Serbia has never apologized for war crimes or crimes against humanity committed against our people. We have never sought revenge, but justice," said President Osmani.

According to her, Serbia must slowly understand that Kosovo is here to stay and that there is no return to the past.

Despite ongoing disagreements, Osmani sees Kosovo as part of the Western community in the future.

"We will never lose hope. 97 percent of our citizens support membership in the EU and NATO," said President Osmani.

The accession process is complex. For example, there are still five countries within the EU that have not recognized Kosovo's independence.

However, the work to achieve EU membership continues. According to President Osmani, Kosovo has made the most reforms among countries in the Balkan region that are prerequisites for EU membership.

"Kosovo has always had and has only one goal, and that is to join the Euro-Atlantic community," says Osmani.

She thanks Finland for the strong support she has received over the decades.

"President Martti Ahtisaari led peace negotiations between Kosovo and the Serbian-led Yugoslavia in 1999. Alexander Stubb, who served as Foreign Minister from 2008 to 2011, provided valuable assistance to Kosovo immediately after the country gained independence," Osmani underlined, RTK reports.

According to Osmani, the situation in the Western Balkans has remained tense to this day.

"The situation is worrying, because Serbia is constantly acting in accordance with Russia's will. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, like Vladimir Putin, thinks in a hegemonic way that denies the existence of neighbors," says Osmani.

"When you read the academic writings of the countries, both Serbs and Russians believe that they are sacred nations under which others must live. This kind of imperialist thinking is dangerous and belongs to the past," she added.

Osmani says that representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church last met with Putin on Wednesday. The meeting openly discussed the annexation of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

"Some European decision-makers seem to think that Vucic can be contained by making concessions and keeping him happy. However, this has only led to new violence."

The President of Kosovo says it is strange that the EU is increasing aid to Serbia, while the country continues to incite violence in neighboring countries and avoids implementing agreements that have already been made.

"Serbia has never apologized for war crimes or crimes against humanity committed against our people. We have never sought revenge, but justice," the president emphasized.

According to Osmani, Serbia must slowly understand that Kosovo is here to stay and that there is no return to the past.

According to her, an unfair peace in Ukraine could send the wrong signal to other countries seeking territorial confiscations.

The war in Ukraine threatens to end in a bitter end from an international law perspective if aggressor Russia is rewarded for ten years of brutality with territorial expansion.

"Since the start of the full-scale war of aggression in Ukraine, Russia has tripled the money it spends on its propaganda and disinformation in the Western Balkans. This shows that Russia has a special interest in the region," says President Osmani.

"Russia has traditionally believed that by destabilizing various European regions, it is also attacking the European rules-based system and values. Russia should not be encouraged in the peace agreement to continue pursuing new territorial expansions," she underlined.

According to President Osmani, an unfair peace could also encourage other countries to act contrary to international agreements.

The concessions to Russia would completely bypass existing international laws and agreements, according to which the borders or independence of smaller states cannot be violated.

"The way the war will end will be seen not only in the Western Balkans, but throughout the world," said President Osmani in an interview with "Yle".