UPDATE 2 - NATO chief says alliance 'does not give up' on political solution to Kosovo clashes

UPDATES FURTHER REMARKS FROM NATO CHIEF, ADDS REMARKS FROM US SECRETARY OF STATE

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

OSLO, Norway (AA) – NATO chief on Thursday said that sending additional troops to Kosovo "does not mean" that the alliance gives up on a possible political solution to the ongoing clashes.

Jens Stoltenberg’s remarks came during his doorstep before the informal NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Norway's capital Oslo.

Responding to Anadolu's question on whether sending additional 700 NATO troops to Kosovo and keeping a battalion ready in case of a further need means that the alliance expects the clashes may turn into a bigger conflict in Europe after Russia's war in Ukraine, Stoltenberg said: "This does not mean that we are giving up on a political solution."

“Our message to both Belgrade and Pristina is that they have to engage in good faith in the EU-facilitated dialogue, that's the only path to peace,” he urged.

He added: "But at the same time, NATO has the responsibility to ensure stability in Kosovo. That's why we have been there for many years and are now increasing our presence in the region."

Reiterating that attacks on NATO peacekeepers are "totally unacceptable," the NATO chief said that additional troops will be stationed in Kosovo to "ensure a safe and secure environment, and calm down the tensions."

He said the first batch of additional 700 troops is on its way.

Recent clashes in Kosovo and supporting Ukraine against Russia will remain at the top of the foreign ministers' agenda.

Tensions have gripped Kosovo with protesters and security forces clashing in the northern Serb-dominated municipalities over the election of ethnic Albanian mayors.

Albanians are the largest ethnic group in Kosovo, followed by Serbs, especially in the north, near the border with Serbia.

During the clashes, at least 30 NATO soldiers were injured.

Meanwhile, more than 53 civilians were injured by shock bombs and tear gas, according to hospital sources.

- Sweden's NATO bid

Stoltenberg said that he will soon visit Ankara to discuss Sweden's NATO bid with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Noting that he spoke with Erdogan earlier this week and highlighted the importance of making progress on the accession of Sweden, he said: "I will also travel to Ankara in the near future to continue to address how we can ensure the fastest possible accession of Sweden."

Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership soon after the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. Finland joined the alliance in April, while Sweden is still making reforms to get membership.

Sweden is joining the summit as a NATO invitee.

- Support for Ukraine

Stoltenberg praised the “unprecedented level of support” for Ukraine by the allies and partners over the last months, saying allies also agree on Kyiv's NATO membership.

“But most importantly, all allies agree that the most urgent and important task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign independent nation. We need to ensure that Ukraine prevails after this war,” he said.

He added: “And when the war ends, we need to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself, that this pattern of Russian aggression against Ukraine really stops and, therefore, we need to have in place frameworks to provide guarantees for Ukrainian security after the end of the war.”

Regarding the agenda of the informal meeting, he said that the foreign ministers will address some issues to prepare for the upcoming Vilnius Summit in Lithuania, and discuss how to step up and sustain our support for Ukraine, as well as other issues.

Additionally, he said, they will also address the need for increased defense spending.

“I expect that when the leaders meet, we will make sure that 2% of GDP for defense is not a ceiling, but it will be a floor, a minimum for what is needed to meet obligations as a NATO ally,” he continues.

Strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific partners will also be addressed, according to the NATO chief.

In his joint statement to the press along with Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the alliance has "an intense focus on the support that we're continuing to provide to Ukraine, to make sure that it prevails against the Russian aggression that has now been going on for well over a year."

He noted that the informal meeting in Oslo and the leaders’ summit will be "critical next steps" in the ongoing efforts to support Ukraine.

“And as well, to continue the process of bringing new members into the alliance, notably, Sweden,” Blinken said about the Nordic country's NATO bid.