Pistorius wants to increase the German military presence in the Balkans: around 160 additional forces are to be stationed in Kosovo by the end of May.
Pristina – Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) wants to strengthen Germany's military presence as part of the NATO Kosovo Forces (KFOR) mission: around 160 additional forces are to be relocated to the location there. There are currently around 90 German soldiers there.
When the Federal Defense Minister visited the Kosovo capital last Monday, he emphasized that it was about “a clear commitment” and also about sending “clear signals to Moscow”. Germany wants to take responsibility in the region. The SPD politician explained that the units sent, consisting of security and support forces, are also intended to replace Austrian forces that are currently withdrawing from there.
Pistorius is also implementing a long-planned project by the ruling traffic light coalition, which was given new urgency after the unrest in the region, for example in September or around the election events in Serbia in December 2023. The situation in Kosovo always remains tense and, at least since the Ukraine war, has become embedded in an even more complex and tense environment than before.
In addition to the tense situation on site, the minister's decision can also be embedded in a larger geopolitical framework and should be heard by both Moscow and its own NATO allies. After all the effort, they don't want to watch the situation there deteriorate. Finally, we also know that Russia has always had “a strong interest” in the Balkan region there.
The situation in Kosovo remains tense, compounded by the complex geopolitical environment
Currently, NATO activities in the region are primarily limited to advisory activities and attempts are being made to keep the ball flat and avoid high-profile actions. The forces to be sent are still being prepared for their deployment in Germany and should have arrived in Kosovo by the end of May.
The Bundeswehr mission as part of KFOR has been running since the end of the Kosovo war in 1999. At that time, around 6,440 troops were deployed in Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize it. There is currently an upper limit for the number of German Bundeswehr forces to be sent: The current Bundestag mandate for deployment in Kosovo stipulates an upper limit of 400 soldiers. (Sonja Ruf with dpa)
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