Serbia criticizes NATO for not intervening in Kosovo clashes

Following violent clashes between Kosovo police and ethnic Serbs, Serbia’s top political and security leadership, led by President Aleksandar Vucic, met in Belgrade. The government condemned NATO-led peacekeepers stationed in Kosovo for allegedly failing to stop “brutal actions” by Kosovo police against ethnic Serbs. Serbia’s armed forces stationed near the border will remain on the highest state of alert until further notice. In response to the clashes, Vucic ordered troops closer to the border with Kosovo. The United States and several Western countries condemned Kosovo’s government for using police to forcibly allow entry to municipal buildings. Ethnic Albanians form more than 90 percent of the population in Kosovo, with Serbs only the majority in the northern region. Any attempt by Serbia to send its troops over the border would mean a clash with NATO troops stationed there.