Diplomats from the United States and Europe are urgently working together to contain escalating violence in the heart of Europe and prevent a new conflict in a continent already shaken by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The clashes unfolded in Kosovo, one among several small Balkan nations formed in the aftermath of the violent disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. This recent surge of violence resulted in numerous injuries, including Italian and Hungarian servicemen.

The confrontation, which had been simmering for months, erupted when Kosovo attempted to forcibly install ethnic Albanian mayors in regions predominantly inhabited by ethnic Serbs, Wall Street Journal reported.

This move followed a local election that was largely boycotted by Serbs and considered unrepresentative by international observers.

Tensions have been escalating in the area since Kosovo’s secession from Serbia, another former Yugoslav state, in the late 1990s.

During the secession war, the West provided military support to Kosovo, while Russia backed Serbia.

Presently, ethnic Albanians account for over 90% of Kosovo’s population, while ethnic Serbs constitute the majority in a small northern region.

The recent escalation has raised concerns in Western capitals that the potential for conflict could present an opportunity for Russia to reignite one of Europe’s unresolved flashpoints.

Written by staff