Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Glauk Konjufca, has warned that the risk of renewed armed confrontation with Serbia must be taken seriously. In an exclusive interview with Hungary Insider, he accused Belgrade of pursuing territorial ambitions and called for stronger international measures to prevent further instability in the Western Balkans. The minister also addressed NATO’s role in maintaining regional security and the continuing dispute over the deadly 2023 Banjska attack.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia remain a significant security concern in the Western Balkans, nearly two decades after Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
The Republic of Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognised as an independent and sovereign state by Hungary and 120 other countries. Serbia continues to reject its independence and maintain territorial claims over the country. The dispute has repeatedly triggered political crises and security incidents, particularly in northern Kosovo, where a substantial ethnic Serb population maintains close ties with Belgrade.
Speaking exclusively to Hungary Insider, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca argued that recent statements by Serbian officials should be viewed in the context of previous armed incidents and military deployments.
“The threat to the Republic of Kosovo is real, and the international community must recognise the gravity of this pattern,” he said.
Kosovo warns that Serbian rhetoric could signal a wider security threat
Konjufca condemned Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic’s explicit declaration that the Serbian flag would “sooner or later fly over Prizren”, a city in southern Kosovo, describing it as evidence of Belgrade’s continuing territorial ambitions against the Republic of Kosovo.
According to the minister, such statements cannot be separated from developments on the ground.
He also highlighted the public appearance of Milan Radoicic, former vice-president of the Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista and the admitted organiser of the armed group responsible for the September 2023 Banjska terrorist attack, alongside Danilo Vucic, son of former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, at a ruling-party campaign rally.
Konjufca described these developments as evidence of a persistent pattern of Serbian territorial revisionism and the political protection afforded to individuals responsible for armed aggression against the Republic of Kosovo, particularly Milan Radoicic, who publicly acknowledged organising the armed group responsible for the Banjska terrorist attack.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo has consistently maintained that the Banjska terrorist attack was supported by Serbian state structures. The Special Prosecution’s indictment details an organised operation aimed at annexing north of Kosovo to Serbia, including allegations that military infrastructure in Serbia was provided for the group’s training.
Konjufca also pointed to Radoicic’s longstanding political relationship with Aleksandar Vucic, who publicly praised him on several occasions and later acknowledged him as a close political ally. Serbia denies state involvement, while Radoicic maintains that he acted independently.
The Banjska attack continues to fuel tensions
The September 2023 attack in Banjska, northern Kosovo, remains one of the most serious security incidents in relations between Belgrade and Pristina in recent years.
A heavily armed group carried out a terrorist attack against Kosovo Police in Banjska, killing Police Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku. Three members of the attacking group were subsequently killed during the ensuing armed confrontation.
In the days following the Banjska terrorist attack, Serbia amassed tanks, artillery and mechanized infantry along its border with the Republic of Kosovo. The unprecedented scale of this military deployment prompted an extraordinary public warning from the White House, which demanded the withdrawal of Serbian forces. NATO subsequently reinforced its KFOR peacekeeping presence in Kosovo.
In the exclusive interview, Konjufca criticised the lack of accountability for those responsible for the attack, particularly the fact that Radoičić remains in Serbia.
Minister Konjufca called on the European Union to exert decisive pressure on Belgrade to surrender Milan Radoicic and the other indicted perpetrators to the judicial authorities of the Republic of Kosovo. He also recalled the European Parliament’s 2023 call for targeted restrictive measures against Radoicic, emphasising that these demands must now be translated into concrete action.
“Justice for Banjska is essential to preventing further aggression and establishing lasting security in our region,” he said.
How serious is the risk of another Serbia–Kosovo conflict?
Asked whether a renewed armed confrontation was a realistic possibility, Konjufca made clear that his government takes the danger seriously.
“We take the risk of renewed confrontation seriously, knowing the devastating consequences of war,” he told Hungary Insider.
He identified a renewed concentration of Serbian combat forces near Kosovo’s borders or another armed attack against Kosovo’s territory and critical infrastructure as developments that would constitute a grave escalation.
Nevertheless, the minister stressed that Kosovo remains committed to diplomatic engagement and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries.
According to Konjufca, preventing further violence requires credible deterrence, a strong NATO presence through KFOR, and close coordination with the United States and European partners.
Why Kosovo’s security matters to Hungary
For Hungary, developments in Kosovo have direct regional security implications.
Hungary has long contributed troops to NATO’s Kosovo Force, which is tasked with maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in the territory.
The proximity of the Western Balkans also makes regional stability an important consideration for Hungarian foreign and security policy.
Hungary recognised Kosovo’s independence in March 2008 and has maintained diplomatic relations with Pristina since then.
Konjufca acknowledged Hungary’s longstanding contribution to Kosovo’s security in his interview, while also discussing how political developments in Budapest could influence future bilateral relations.
The minister emphasised that Kosovo’s longer-term ambitions remain focused on European integration, international cooperation and membership of NATO.
What else did Kosovo’s foreign minister reveal in the exclusive interview?
Beyond the security tensions with Serbia, Glauk Konjufca addressed several important political and diplomatic questions in his extensive interview with Hungary Insider.
He discussed how Kosovo views Hungary’s political transition under Prime Minister Péter Magyar, whether Budapest could play a greater role in the Western Balkans, and what opportunities exist for closer Hungarian–Kosovar cooperation.
The minister also examined the political connections surrounding the Banjska attack, the measures he expects from the European Union, and Kosovo’s efforts to secure EU candidate status.
He further addressed Kosovo’s ambitions to join NATO, its campaign for wider international recognition, and the message he wants to send to European governments, particularly those in Central Europe.
What does Glauk Konjufca expect from Péter Magyar’s government? How could Hungary influence Kosovo’s European future? And what further action does he want the EU to take towards Serbia?
Read the full exclusive interview with Kosovo’s foreign minister on Hungary Insider →
If you missed it – Kosovo eyes Hungarian investors and travellers in 2026: Exclusive interview with Ambassador Delfin Pllana
I have this feeling that this situation is not going to last; that what NATO thought it was going to establish longterm, by pilfering part of Serbia, to establish a Musilm majority country in The Balkans, will be destroyed when the right moment comes, because Serbians, as a whole, do not accept this situation.
Hey Mouton, seem Russian Serbian Orthodox matters interests you 😂😂😂