Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vu?evi? has called for an international investigation into an explosion that damaged the Ibar-Lepenac canal in Kosovo on November 29. The incident has led to heightened tensions between the two countries, with Kosovo accusing Serbia of involvement.
Vu?evi? emphasized that Serbia had no role in the explosion and called it a “false narrative” aimed at tarnishing Serbia’s reputation. “We are certain that Serbia and Serbs had no part in this attack. This is an effort to create a false victim story around Kosovo’s leadership,” Vu?evi? said.
The blast damaged a key water canal that supplies water to multiple cities in Kosovo and powers the cooling systems of the Kosovo Energy Corporation’s thermal power plants. The explosion has disrupted critical services, causing significant concern in Kosovo.
Kosovo authorities have accused Serbia of being behind the attack. In response, Vu?evi? rejected the claims, insisting that Serbia is open to dialogue with Pristina but remains firm in its position that recognizing Kosovo is “impossible.”
International tensions over Kosovo’s status
The explosion comes amid ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, both of which have clashed over the status of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008. Serbia, backed by some allies including Russia and China, has refused to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has condemned the explosion, describing it as an act of aggression. He called for international support to hold Serbia accountable for what he claims is an attack on Kosovo’s infrastructure.
Vu?evi?, however, has said that while Serbia is willing to engage in talks with Kosovo, the recognition of Kosovo’s independence remains unacceptable.
