On the evening of July 31, the already difficult relations between Serbia and Kosovo sharply worsened.
Mass protests broke out in the north of the republic, escalating into shootings at the border.
According to media reports, the military of both sides were put on high alert. Barricades were set up on the roads.
What they say in Serbia
The Serbian Ministry of Defense denied information that troops had invaded Kosovo.
The department also denied data about clashes between the Serbian military and the Kosovo police.
The President of Serbia intended to make an urgent appeal to his people.
But after persuasion from Pristina on the part of the American ambassador, the situation calmed down a little.
However, Vucic has publicly stated that he really wants peace, but if aggression follows, Serbia will win.
And thanked Russia for its support. On the evening of July 31, he was at the General Staff.
NATO and the EU
The NATO mission said it is ready to intervene if stability in northern Kosovo is threatened.
Pristina, after a call from the American ambassador, postponed entry restrictions for Serbs until September 1, which caused an aggravation in the north of the country.
The European Union welcomed the decision of the Kosovo authorities to postpone the introduction of entry restrictions for Serbs, as reported by Josep Borrell.
By the way, reports of a shootout on the border and clashes with the police come from the Kosovo Prime Minister. The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed.
What they say in Kosovo
Social networks and the media also wrote about fires that broke out in the border zone.
According to the head of the Kosovo government, Albin Kurti, “shots were fired at the local police.”
He blamed the attack on “rebel elements controlled by the Serbian government in the north.”
And the Kosovo police said that no one was injured as a result of the shooting, but two border crossings were closed.
Belgrade and Moscow
Belgrade accused Pristina of spreading disinformation “through fake accounts on social networks and websites.”
It is stated that the Serbian army “has not yet crossed the administrative border and has not in any way entered Kosovo.”
Aleksandar Vucic reported that Belgrade held talks with Serb representatives from Kosovo and Metohija, promising to try to “keep peace.”
Russia called on the Kosovo authorities and the European Union and the United States behind them to stop provocations and respect the rights of Serbs in the republic, whose independence it does not recognize.
