Turkish media: Turkish drones for Kosovo test the "golden age" of Ankara's relations with Belgrade

The arrival of a powerful new defense system in the Balkans on Wednesday has done more than bolster the capabilities of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) – it has caused a political shake-up in the regional diplomacy that Turkey has carefully cultivated over the past few years. “TurkeyToday” on Thursday.

Containers with thousands of advanced "Skydagger" suicide drones, manufactured in Turkey, arrived in Pristina on Wednesday, according to a contract with the defense company "Baykar".

Kosovo's acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has described this as a step towards building a "modern and contemporary force", but the news has immediately provoked a strong reaction from Belgrade, putting Ankara in a very delicate position to maintain diplomatic balance.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić reacted in harsh tones, accusing Turkey of "violating international law" and "destabilizing the Western Balkans."

"I am appalled by Turkey's behavior and brutal violation of the UN Charter and Security Council Resolution 1244, as well as the further arming of the authorities in Pristina," Vučić wrote on social media.

Vučić has said that Turkey is dreaming of the revival of the Ottoman Empire.

"It is now completely clear that Turkey does not want stability in the Western Balkans and dreams again of the revival of the Ottoman Empire. Serbia is a small country, but it understands well what the goals of this policy are," he added.

The accusation of “neo-Ottomanism” is a common rhetorical weapon in the Balkans whenever national interests clash with Turkey’s growing engagement in the region. In reality, analysts point out that Ankara’s foreign policy remains pragmatic and focused on economic and regional stability — a policy that, despite current tensions, has produced a “golden age” of economic relations with Serbia.

Ironically, Vučić’s own government is modernizing its military arsenal through close cooperation with Russia and China — two countries that are openly at odds with the West. In July, Serbian army special forces conducted joint exercises with a Chinese brigade, despite objections from the EU and the US.

This stance reveals a double standard: Belgrade claims the right to military buildup, but denies it to its neighbors – especially Kosovo, which it still considers its own territory.

"A great NATO country that helps maintain peace"

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani immediately reacted by calling Vučić's statement "shameful" and describing Turkey as a committed NATO ally.

"I am proud to have worked closely with President Erdogan, a man of his word, who has shown sincere care for all the people of the region and has made an extraordinary contribution to maintaining stability and security," said Osmani.

She added that "Vučić seems to believe that he can threaten a major NATO country like Turkey in the same way that he threatens neighboring countries."

"Instead of cooperating with NATO member countries, he deepens military cooperation with Russia, China and Iran," Osmani declared.

So far, there has been no official reaction from high-level Ankara to Vučić's accusations.

This drone sale does not constitute a deviation from Turkey's stability policy, but rather reflects geopolitical reality: Turkey is a NATO member, while Kosovo is a partner aiming for Euro-Atlantic integration – a path that Ankara officially supports.

Turkey's role as a "peacekeeper under pressure"

This development comes just days after the change of command in the NATO mission in Kosovo (KFOR). Just a few days ago, Turkish Major General Ozkan Ulutaş took command of KFOR for the second time in as many years.

Turkey has one of the largest contingents of troops within KFOR, which operates under Security Council Resolution 1244 – the same resolution that Belgrade claims was violated by sending the drones.

The presence of a Turkish general at the head of the force tasked with maintaining security for all communities in Kosovo demonstrates Ankara's commitment to stability and impartiality. The Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Army is reported to have urgently contacted the Turkish commander of KFOR to protest the drone deployment.

This special role makes it difficult for Belgrade to claim that Turkey is “destabilizing” the region. How can a country that itself commands NATO’s main peacekeeping mission in Kosovo be accused of destabilization?

The shadow of the October 12 elections

This diplomatic clash is happening just days before the October 12 local elections in Kosovo — a period often characterized by ethnic tensions and debates about the integration of Serb-majority municipalities.

For President Vučić, the new crisis serves as a convenient diversion. He faces long-running protests against corruption and abuse of power that have engulfed numerous Serbian cities.

By raising tensions with a major NATO country like Turkey and reviving nationalist rhetoric, he manages to divert attention from internal problems towards an external "enemy."

For Turkey, the message is clear: maintaining strong economic relations with Belgrade remains a priority, but not at the expense of strategic engagement and the defense of Kosovo.

Ankara's role is not to choose between the two – but to cooperate with both, believing that pragmatic partnership and security cooperation, even when involving drones, are the only sustainable path to stability in a historically fragile region.