NATO-led international peacekeeping mission KFOR has dismantled the last roadblocks and barricades in northern Kosovo, ending a week of blocking roads and border crossings with Serbia. It is reported by Euractiv.

The situation in northern Kosovo has deteriorated over the past month amid a planned ban on Serbian license plates, a massive layoff of ethnic Serbs from Kosovo institutions, scheduled but then postponed elections, and the arrest of a Serbian police officer on charges of attacking the premises of the Central Electoral Commission. After that, he was placed under house arrest, which greatly reduced tensions..

On December 29, after the intervention of key stakeholders, the Serbs began to dismantle the barricades and some of the blocked border crossings were reopened..

These efforts were carried out in accordance with the KFOR mandate given by the United Nations through a Security Council Resolution to achieve a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for the benefit of all communities living in Kosovo..

“The dismantling of the barricades comes after intense efforts by NATO and EU countries to defuse tensions, with key support from KFOR and the EU-led Rule of Law Mission (EULEX). The dismantling of the last roadblocks was carried out in a fast, safe and reliable manner to avoid incidents and other risks to local security,” NATO said in a statement..

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungesko added in a tweet that KFOR forces remain vigilant and have the capability and personnel to continue fulfilling their UN mandate..

The Alliance press release also adds that NATO continues to support dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo as the main platform for finding a solution that respects the rights of all communities and for building lasting peace and security throughout the region..

Also on Thursday, January 5, a NATO spokesman said there had been no formal request from Kosovo for more personnel and troops after Prime Minister Albin Kurti said it would be helpful.

“A significant increase in the number of NATO soldiers and military equipment in our country would improve security and peace in Kosovo and the entire Western Balkan region,” Kurti said earlier..

Regarding the issue of tension in the north of Kosovo, Kurti noted that he is not afraid, but worried, because there is always a risk with Serbia. According to him, the danger is that Serbia has not changed its attitude towards Kosovo, and concluded three important agreements with Russia over the past year..

Kurti explained that these three agreements include the purchase of the cheapest gas in Europe and the coordination of foreign policy..

“I don’t know what else needs to happen to understand what kind of Serbia we are dealing with. We must stand together against a more aggressive and hostile Serbia than at any time since independence, instead of looking for flaws in the long-suffering Kosovo,” he said..

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Kosovo declared independence in 2008. At the same time, Serbia considers the region to be its territory.. Kosovo's independence is recognized by half of the UN countries, including the United States and most of the EU and NATO countries. Ukraine and Russia did not recognize the independence of Kosovo.

The development of another circle of destabilization in the northern regions of Kosovo has once again demonstrated that Russia continues its game in the Western Balkans.

Its goal is not only an attempt to “not let go” of Serbia to the EU, but also to destabilize the entire region. And Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, obviously, does not want to make a choice between Moscow and Brussels - it’s more convenient. Despite the saber-rattling, from the point of view of common sense, and not the student of an experienced provocateur Putin, it is difficult to see the real casus belli in all cases of Belgrade's aggravation of relations with Kosovo. Why? Read the article by Vladimir Tsybulnik "