Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakrahova today made some misinformation about Kosovo that has been spread in the Russian and Serbian media.
In a press conference in front of Russian journalists, Zakrahova continued the narrative spread by Belgrade that allegedly “the Kosovo government is oppressing Serbs” until she went even further and claimed that “this is encouraged by the Euro-Atlanticists”.
Of particular note is the part where it says that “the Kosovars pushed through visa liberalization from Brussels and the Americans by encouraging them to purge the Serbs”.
The news was published in the Russian propaganda media “Sputnik” and “Russian Today”, which operate freely in Serbia, and subsequently also in the Serbian propaganda portal “Novosti.rs”.
What Maria Zakharova said:
“The situation of Serbs in Kosovo is becoming critical, and the West is moving away from the problem instead of sounding the alarm.” The Americans and Europeans are supporting the ethnic cleansing initiated by “Prime Minister” Albin Kurti, rewarding Pristina with visa-free travel to the Schengen Area and promoting its application for membership of the Council of Europe. In the hope of overcoming the deadlock in the agreement between Albin Kurti and the West, Belgrade agreed to uncomfortable compromises regarding license plates and electricity supply in northern Kosovo. It remains to be seen whether Prishtina will use this gesture to further oppress the non-Albanian population.”
Analysis:
This is disinformation against Americans, Europeans and Kosovo. In fact, Kosovo was the last country in the Western Balkans to introduce visa liberalization after several years of prolongation. Kosovo has gone through all stages of visa liberalization. In July 2018, the European Commission recommended visa liberalization for Kosovo; in August 2018, the LIBE Committee voted in favour of the EC’s liberalization recommendation; in September 2018, the European Parliament confirmed negotiations with the Council of the EU on visa liberalization; in November 2022 EU ambassadors voted in favour; December 2022 EU ambassadors approve the agreement reached by the three institutions; March 2023 EU ambassadors vote in favour of visa liberalization by simple majority; March 2023 EU Council of Ministers approves visa liberalization by simple majority; April 2023 the decision is published in the Official Gazette./G. Venhari-The Geopost/
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