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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's answer to a media question regarding the anti-Serb provocation in Kosovo

25 July 2025 17:46
1258-25-07-2025

Question: On July 18, the local "police" detained Assistant Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Igor Popović, without any justification while he was in the region to attend a memorial ceremony for the victims of Kosovo Albanian militants in 1998-1999. How would you comment on this?

Maria Zakharova: The so-called authorities in Pristina have committed yet another lawless act targeting Serbs. What has transpired is a clear manifestation of escalating terror against the Serb population - further proof of Prime Minister Albin Kurti's intent to demoralise them and force them to abandon their homes. This is a cynical provocation in line with the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.

Igor Popović is a member of the Serbian delegation participating in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue mediated by the European Union. His unlawful detention plainly demonstrates Kosovo Albanians' unwillingness to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the Kosovo issue and confirms the determination of local Albanian radicals to sabotage any steps towards a long-term, sustainable peace on mutually acceptable terms.

The EU's lack of a coherent response, despite its role as the curator of the negotiation process, suggests Brussels still has no intention of restraining the anti-Serb terror perpetrated by Kosovo Albanians - washing its hands of the matter. Regrettably, this comes as no surprise: "civilised Europe" has long forfeited what little authority it had left, proving incapable of resolving its own internal problems, let alone assisting others.

Belgrade's legitimate demand for Popović's immediate release must be fulfilled. The only way to prevent a dangerous escalation in the region is through responsible dialogue between the involved parties, grounded in international law and anchored by the cornerstone UN Security Council Resolution 1244.