After the extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council in Serbia, held on January 4, 2026, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has intensified alarming rhetoric about security developments in Kosovo, claiming that the country is arming itself in violation of international law and that a new military cooperation is being consolidated in the region that, according to him, directly violates Serbia's interests and security.
Vučić described the situation as an existential threat to his country, stressing that Serbia is entering a new phase of defense readiness. He concluded his address with a clear warning, saying: “"We are now preparing for protection from those who are no longer secretly, but openly sending threats to our country.".
The allegation of arming Kosovo as a threat to regional stability and Serbia's security
Vučić claims that the process of transforming the Kosovo Security Force into an army is taking place with the support of Western powers and Turkey, in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the United Nations Charter.
According to him, the international order that envisaged the absence of a local army in Kosovo has been undone in practice, while the equipping and training of Kosovo forces is creating a new military reality that endangers regional stability and Serbia's security.
Is this true?
Resolution 1244 does not prevent the supply of weapons to Kosovo. Although it maintains the interim international security framework, Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and has secured international recognition, as well as signed bilateral military and armament agreements with NATO member states. (see here and here).
The armament does not violate KFOR's mandate and does not constitute prohibited militarization. According to Law on the Kosovo Security Force, the KSF has certain competencies and principles. These include only the aspects of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity and interests of Kosovo.
Kosovo has reached agreements for the purchase of weapons with other NATO countries and has been doing so for several years now, since three laws were adopted in December 2018 to transform the KSF into an army.
KFOR is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission in Kosovo. Its troops are mandated to provide a secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. Their mandate stems from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which called for the withdrawal of all Serbian forces from Kosovo and the entry of international peacekeeping troops (See here).
After the transition of the KSF into the army through laws, the then Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said that "The KSF will not replace KFOR"and that the KSF is ready to serve alongside KFOR forces."
The US had considered it Kosovo's sovereign right to transform the KSF into a force "with a mandate for territorial defense" (see here).
The claim that the Kosovo-Albania-Croatia military agreement is to the detriment of Serbia
Another element of Vučić's narrative is the existence of close cooperation between Pristina, Tirana, and Zagreb, which he describes as a de facto military alliance.
He claims that these three parties are coordinating in the purchase and development of military equipment, including more advanced combat systems, interpreting this cooperation as an attempt to change the security balance in the region to the detriment of Serbia.
Is this true?
In Tirana, on March 18, Kosovo, Albania and Croatia formalized a joint statement on expanding cooperation in defense and security. The agreement was signed by the then Minister of Defense of Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci, as well as his counterparts, Pirro Vengu of Albania and Ivan Anušić of Croatia.
In the declaration signed by the trio, four points of cooperation were defined:
- Promoting defense capacities and cooperation for the relevant industry;
- Increasing interoperability through education, training and exercises;
- Combating hybrid threats and increasing resilience;
- Providing full support for Euro-Atlantic integration.
The then Minister of Defense of Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci, let know that the first commitment foreseen in the joint declaration is to carry out joint purchases of weapons, by placing a single order from the US on behalf of Kosovo, Albania and Croatia, with the aim of reducing costs and accelerating delivery times.
The cooperation agreement between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia, according to the statements of the Defense Ministers of the countries signing the agreement, does not have an aggressive character, but aims to strengthen cooperation in security, increase interoperability through training and contribute to regional peace, without constituting a threat to any state. It reflects the common orientation towards Euro-Atlantic integration and the support of Kosovo by two NATO member countries within the framework of stability and security of the Western Balkans. In this context, the role of NATO and the KFOR mission remains a key stabilizing factor, while the agreement is in line with long-term efforts to maintain peace and prevent conflicts in the region.
Therefore, Aleksandar Vučić's claims that the arming of Kosovo and the trilateral agreement between it, Albania and Croatia constitute a threat to Serbia and regional stability are not based on verifiable facts. The process of building Kosovo's security capacities is being carried out in accordance with local legislation, international practices and with the continuous supervision of NATO through KFOR, while the trilateral cooperation has a defensive and integrative, not aggressive, character. These developments reflect the Euro-Atlantic orientation of the region and aim to strengthen peace and stability, and not to create new security risks for Serbia or for communities in the Western Balkans./Hybrid.info.
