Turkish Major General Ozgan Ulutash, the commander of KFOR, has described the security situation in Kosovo as calm. According to him, no incidents of a similar scale or intensity have been recorded since the attacks on NATO troops in the north in May 2023 and the incident in Banjska.
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However, in written responses to KosovaPress, Ulutash acknowledged that several unresolved issues remain that could affect security and therefore need to be addressed.
He recalled that he began his first term at the helm of KFOR in 2023, after northern Kosovo had faced serious security incidents earlier that year, including the unjustifiable and unacceptable attacks on peacekeepers in Zvečan. As a result of these developments, KFOR received its largest reinforcement in more than a decade, with the deployment of nearly 1,000 additional troops.
Ulutash stressed that there has been no recurrence of incidents of that scale or intensity since then. Nevertheless, KFOR remains vigilant, maintaining a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo. According to him, the mission closely monitors all relevant developments that could affect Kosovo’s security and regional stability, while remaining fully focused on implementing its mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999.
As the security situation stabilizes, NATO will optimize KFOR’s presence in Kosovo and gradually adjust the current troop level over the coming year. The commander explained that this process would be carried out step by step and would depend on conditions on the ground, while it could be reversed if security developments require it. He added that KFOR’s presence has been continuously adjusted since 1999 to ensure that the mission retains the ability to carry out its duties and respond to changes in the security situation.
According to the commander of NATO forces in Kosovo, KFOR has identified two developments that are particularly concerning for security: inflammatory rhetoric and the continued use of disinformation. He believes political action is also needed to address them.
Ulutash said these phenomena could affect the security environment, which is why KFOR remains vigilant and well positioned throughout Kosovo. He assured that the mission would continue to perform the duties for which it is mandated, but emphasized that lasting security is achieved through political rather than military means.
For this reason, KFOR will continue its role within NATO’s broader commitment to supporting progress in the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. According to Ulutash, this dialogue provides the framework in which all outstanding issues should be addressed and solutions found that fully respect the rights of all communities.
The KFOR commander also described the current situation in northern Kosovo as calm. He explained that the mission maintains a regular, visible and flexible presence there through patrols, observation posts and contacts with all local communities.
This approach, combined with close coordination and communication with the Kosovo Police, EULEX and the Serbian Armed Forces, enables KFOR to maintain a comprehensive overview of the situation. According to him, it also keeps the mission prepared to respond effectively to any significant security developments.
The Turkish general has been leading KFOR for a second time since October last year, while his first term lasted from October 2023 to October 2024. In the interview, he was also asked about his visits to Belgrade and the topics he discusses with the Serbian military leadership.
Ulutash said KFOR maintains regular and transparent communication with the Serbian Armed Forces at all levels. During his latest visit to Belgrade, he met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Mojsilović. It was their fifth meeting.
The KFOR commander spoke highly of the cooperation built over the years with Major General Mojsilović. According to him, this cooperation has helped in several areas by increasing transparency and mutual trust, as well as contributing to the preservation of regional stability.
Responding to critics in Kosovo who claim that KFOR sometimes shows greater understanding for Belgrade’s concerns than for those of Pristina, Ulutash said impartiality is the foundation of the mission’s work.
He stressed that KFOR’s mandate is clear and aims to help create a safe and secure environment for everyone living in Kosovo. According to him, all of the mission’s daily activities are guided by this mandate, while long-term security can exist only if all communities feel they benefit from it.
Ulutash said KFOR continues to implement its UN-mandated mission fully and impartially. He added that impartiality has always been the foundation of KFOR’s activities and will continue to guide the peacekeeping mission’s daily work, including his regular meetings with all interlocutors.
These contacts also include representatives of Kosovo’s institutions. Ulutash said he recently met with Mr. Kurti, with whom he exchanged views on a range of issues and on KFOR’s continued contribution to regional stability.
