Serbian president calls on Kosovo to preserve peace amid threats of persecution

Amber CoakleyAugust 1, 2022

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, July 20, 2019. Serbia's president says the decision by Kosovo's prime minister to step down over a call for questioning by a Hague-based court investigating crimes against ethnic Serbs during and after the country's 1998-99 war is a

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, July 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 8:20 AM PT – Monday, August 1, 2022

The government of Serbia has warned of a potential conflict with the NATO-backed administration of Kosovo over alleged persecution of Serbs. Serbian President Alexander Vucic addressed the nation Sunday, expressing that the authorities in Kosovo are forcing ethnic Serbs in their territory to obtain temporary IDs and license plates.

The President said Serbia does not recognize Kosovo and Serbs are refusing to get those IDs, which puts them at risk of persecution by Kosovo officials. Vucic also warned of a possible military conflict and he called on Kosovo to preserve peace at all costs. He said Kosovan Serbs must be allowed to keep their Serbian documents.

“I can say that we will pray for peace and we will seek peace,” he stated. “But let me tell you right away: there will be no surrender and Serbia will win. If they dare to persecute Serbs, mistreat Serbs or kill Serbs — Serbia will win.”