Putin will back Kosovo-Serbia deal, President Thaci Insists

[Dukagjini]

Putin Will Back Kosovo-Serbia Deal, Thaci Insists

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci says the Russian leader told him in Paris that Moscow will support any peaceful agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia.



After briefly meeting Russia's President in Paris at the Armistice commemorations, Kosovo’s President, Hashim Thaci, said on Monday that Vladimir Putin told him he would support a peaceful agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.

“In Paris, I met President Vladimir Putin, focusing on dialogue on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, for a comprehensive, binding agreement,” Thaci wrote on Facebook.

“On this topic, President Putin was clear: “If you achieve a peaceful agreement, Russia will support it,” he wrote.

The brief meeting in Paris was the first meeting that Kosovo’s President ever had with Putin, head of a country that has staunchly championed Serbia and opposed Kosovo's independence.

Thaci said he also discussed an agreement with other world leaders including the US, French and German leaders, Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, after which Thaci wrote that all of them supported a final, comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.

Thaci did not clarify whether supporting an agreement also meant supporting his ideas on border correction between Kosovo and Serbia, under which Serbia’s Presevo Valley would join Kosovo.

Suggestions of a territorial swap between Kosovo and Serbia as part of a final deal to normalise relations, with Kosovo receiving the Presevo Valley and Serbia getting Serb-majority northern Kosovo, have become increasingly controversial in recent months.

Austria was the latest country to clarify that it would support a peaceful agreement between two countries, even if it also meant border correction.

However, Germany remains strongly opposed to the idea, claiming it might result in a domino effect on other countries with border issues.

During his participation in the World War I Armistice centenary in Paris, Thaci was seen placed directly behind Putin, Trump, Merkel, and Macron, while other Balkan leaders were further to the side.

Thaci was widely praised for securing such a good seat in the Kosovo media.

From http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/arti...bia-11-12-2018

[Dukagjini]

I have mixed feelings on this. I don't know how this would plan out, and if this could really be done without blowback.

But for Putin to come on board for a deal is big.

[Шуло]

Is it known what would be with Mitrovica in this plan?

[Dukagjini]

Is it known what would be with Mitrovica in this plan?

Haven't seen any serious detailing of the plan, but yea Mitrovica is a serious part and if they screw this up, boy a lot of people will be upset.

I like the idea of a deal though as it offers a plan for stability and peace between the two nations. We don't want another balkan war.

[Шуло]

If it is simple exchange of equal parts of land and people than it would be very profitable for Kosovo. Because Kosovo also would give diplomatic recognition from Serbia automatically. So i think Serbia want to give some more land.

[Dukagjini]

If it is simple exchange of equal parts of land and people than it would be very profitable for Kosovo. Because Kosovo also would give diplomatic recognition from Serbia automatically. So i think Serbia want to give some more land.

That's true. Serbia will probably recognize afterwards if a deal is reached. So, yes I think if a solid agreement is reached,

This would be very good news for peace and stability.

[Шуло]

Looks like some powerful hand push this plan, so it would be signed. Although it is unclear is it profitable for both Serbs and Albanians. If it is fair, than it is great deal, sure.

[Novi Pazar]

“On this topic, President Putin was clear: “If you achieve a peaceful agreement, Russia will support it,” he wrote.

A peaceful agreement? Not sure whether Alb-Shqiptars are capable of ever achieving it. When western nations are funding a regional Alb-Shqiptar army, whilst the same west is forcing Serbs to downsize her own.

Lunacy of even considering swapping Historical Serbia for another Historical Serbia. Alb-Shqiptars need to understand their regional leaders like 'snake' Thaci is killing them off for Serbia's interests.