NATO Warns of Ethnic Tensions in Kosovo

U.S. Navy Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, commander of NATO forces overseeing Kosovo, has warned of the persistent risk of violence in northern Kosovo due to ongoing ethnic tensions and inflammatory political rhetoric. Following a year marked by violence, including the September 2023 attack that resulted in the deaths of a police officer and three gunmen, Munsch emphasized the need for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, which have made little progress in their EU-mediated talks. Kosovo's government has faced criticism from the U.S. and EU for unilateral actions that might exacerbate tensions, while Kosovo disputes these criticisms, straining its relations with Western allies. The region, primarily ethnic Albanian but with a significant Serb population in the north, remains volatile as many Serbs reject Pristina's authority. Munsch underscored NATO's commitment to maintaining peace, noting that the situation is stable yet fragile, and called for all parties to avoid provocative actions.