As months-long tensions once more erupted, Kosovo’s main border crossing with Serbia was shut down on Wednesday, prompting Washington and Brussels to call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.
Belgrade has refused to recognize Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia and has incited the country’s 120,000 ethnic Serbs to rebel against Pristina, especially in the north where they constitute the majority.
The latest trouble erupted on December 10, when ethnic Serbs put up barricades to protest the arrest of an ex-policeman suspected of being involved in attacks against ethnic Albanian police officers — effectively sealing off traffic on two border crossings.
Following the installation of the barricades, multiple shooting incidents involving Kosovar police and foreign peacekeepers occurred, and this week the Serbian military forces were placed on high alert.
Dejan Pantic, a former police officer, was ordered to be released from custody and placed under house arrest by a Pristina court on Wednesday, according to a spokesman.
Given that ethnic Serbs claimed his detention as the primary justification for establishing the barricades, the action may indicate a softening of the situation.
Late Wednesday, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic urged Kosovo Serb representatives to reconsider dismantling the roadblocks.
“Just think again… what do we get if barricades remain? I can tell you five hundred things we can get if they are removed,” Vucic said during the meeting, state-controlled public broadcaster RTS reported.
On Tuesday night, dozens of demonstrators on the Serbian side of the border used trucks and tractors to halt traffic leading to Merdare, the biggest crossing between the neighbours — a move which forced Kosovo police to close the entry point on Wednesday.
“Such an illegal blockade has prevented the free movement and circulation of people and goods, therefore we invite our citizens and compatriots to use other border points for circulation,” a Kosovo police statement said.
Additionally, Pristina requested that the roadblocks placed on Kosovo territory be removed by NATO-led peacekeepers.
