Serbia is analyzing the possibility of diverting the course of the Ibar River within its territory, according to a statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Authorities in Belgrade have begun work on the issue and have enlisted experts.

Speaking to a Serbian media outlet on Sunday, Vučić said that construction specialists, engineers and professionals from other fields had been called in. He delivered the warning in a threatening tone, stating that Serbia has several reasons to alter the course of the Ibar and that afterward they would see what the Albanians would do and how they would behave because, according to him, the Serbian people are being mistreated.

This is not the first time the Serbian president has put forward such an idea. In 2024, immediately after the attack on critical infrastructure at Ibër-Lepenc, of which Serbs are accused, Vučić said his country had a plan to divert the Ibar within Serbian territory.

Serbian commentator Zlatoje Martinov described the warning as a reckless statement detached from reality and an empty threat. According to him, diverting the river would be utterly absurd, as its technical implementation would be extremely complicated and would cost Serbia several billion euros.

Speaking to “Bota Sot,” Martinov questioned why Serbia would need to borrow such vast sums from foreign banks. He stressed that the country is barely managing to finance Vučić’s megalomaniacal “EXPO 2027” project, where construction is behind schedule, while the Serbian president is worried about whether all the buildings will be completed by next summer.

Martinov said that diverting the Ibar riverbed and “destroying Lake Gazivoda” would require not only billions of euros and many years of technical work, but also the approval of Europe and the rest of the world. According to him, Vučić does not have such approval, and no one can secure it because the intervention would amount to a form of crime against the people of Kosovo, as well as against the Serbs living in Kosovo, whom the Serbian president claims to support and for whom he swears his commitment.

For the commentator, Vučić’s idea sounds more ridiculous than frightening. He believes that misguided steps are often taken in moments of powerlessness and anger, while this threat against Kosovo would, in practice, be very difficult and even almost impossible to carry out. For this reason, Martinov described the plan as one of Aleksandar Vučić’s “daydreams.”

Any intervention in the course of the Ibar is of particular importance to Kosovo because the river is directly connected to the Gazivoda/Ujman water system and the Ibër-Lepenc canal.

Such an action would not simply be an ordinary diversion of the river’s course but would have direct consequences for Kosovo’s water and electricity supplies. The impact would particularly affect the two large power plants, Kosovo A and Kosovo B.

The European Union also responded to Vučić’s statements, calling for warnings about a possible diversion of the Ibar, as well as any action that does not help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia, to be avoided.

On August 11, a European Commission spokesperson said that progress toward normalizing Kosovo-Serbia relations could be achieved only through dialogue.

In its response to Radio Free Europe, the European Commission stressed that both statements about possible changes to the river’s course and actions that do not support the goal of normalizing relations should be avoided.

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Serbia is considering the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River within its territory, an idea put forward by President Aleksandar Vučić.

According to him, the authorities in Belgrade have already engaged construction experts, engineers and other specialists to analyze this possibility.

Vučić made the statement to Serbian media on Sunday, accompanying it with a warning to Albanians regarding how they would react to such a decision.

“We have already called in experts who deal with this—the construction sector, engineers and everyone else. Since they are mistreating our people so much, let us see. We have various reasons for changing the course of the Ibar, and then we will see what the Albanians will do and how they will behave,” Vučić said.

This is not the first time the Serbian president has spoken about such a plan. He also mentioned the same idea in 2024, immediately after the attack on critical infrastructure at Ibër-Lepenc, for which Serbs have been accused.

At the time, Vučić said that Serbia had a plan to divert the Ibar River within its territory.

Serbian publicist Zlatoje Martinov described the latest statement as reckless and an empty threat, while calling the project an absurdity that would impose extraordinary costs on Serbia.

“This is one of a series of Vučić’s statements that have no connection with reality. It is another reckless statement and an empty threat. The idea of ‘changing the course of the Ibar River’ is pure absurdity, since such an infrastructure project is technically extremely complex and would cost Serbia several billion euros,” Martinov told “Bota sot.”

He added that Belgrade would be forced to take out large loans from foreign banks to finance such an undertaking at a time when Serbia is barely managing the costs of the “EXPO 2027” project. According to him, work on that project is being delayed, and Vučić is concerned about whether all the buildings will be completed by next summer.

Martinov also emphasized that implementing the plan would require the approval of Europe and the international community, which the Serbian president does not have.

“To relocate the Ibar riverbed and ‘destroy Gazivoda Lake,’ in addition to enormous sums of money and years of technical work, the approval of Europe and the world would also be needed. Vučić does not have this approval, and no one could ever obtain it, because such an action would constitute a kind of crime against the people of Kosovo and, of course, against the Serbs in Kosovo as well, whom Vučić swears by and supposedly supports,” the publicist asserted.

According to him, the Serbian president’s idea is more laughable than threatening, because putting it into practice would be extremely difficult, even almost impossible.

“In a state of helplessness and anger, people often make the wrong moves. Such a statement by Vučić, intended as a threat against Kosovo, is in fact more laughable than frightening, because in practice it would be difficult, even almost impossible, to carry out. Therefore, I would simply call it Aleksandar Vučić’s ‘daydreaming,’” Martinov added.

The course of the Ibar is of direct importance to Kosovo because it is connected to the Gazivoda/Ujman water system and the Ibër-Lepenc canal.

Such an intervention would not merely be a technical change to the river’s course. It would have direct consequences for Kosovo’s water and electricity supply, including the operation of the two major power plants, Kosovo A and Kosovo B.

The European Union has also reacted to Vučić’s statements. The EU said that both statements about a possible change to the course of the Ibar and any actions that do not contribute to the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should be avoided.

“Progress in normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia can be achieved only through dialogue,” a European Commission spokesperson said on August 11.

In a response to Radio Free Europe, the European Commission emphasized that “statements, including those about possible changes to the river’s course, and actions that do not support this objective should be avoided.”

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The US State Department has commented on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s statement that Serbian authorities are analyzing, together with experts, the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River.

In a response to Radio Free Europe, the State Department emphasized that preserving peace and stability in the Western Balkans remains one of the United States’ priorities.

“The normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a necessary part of this process,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Vučić made the statement on August 9, saying that Serbian institutions were examining, together with experts, the possibility of diverting the course of the Ibar. According to him, this is related to the demolition of Serbian houses and villas near Lake Ujman, in northern Kosovo.

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Serbia is considering the possibility of diverting the course of the Ibar River within its territory, according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

To assess whether the idea is feasible, the government in Belgrade has already hired experts.

Speaking to Serbian media on Sunday, Vučić accompanied the announcement with a threat, saying that they would then see what the Albanians would do and how they would behave.

He said specialists in the field had been called in, including representatives of the construction sector, engineers and other experts. According to Vučić, because of what he described as the mistreatment of the Serbian people, Serbia has various reasons to divert the course of the Ibar, after which, as he put it, the reaction and behavior of the Albanians would be seen.

This is not the first time the Serbian president has floated such an idea.

In 2024, immediately after the attack on critical infrastructure at Ibar-Lepenac, for which Serbs themselves are accused, Vučić said that Serbia had a plan to divert the Ibar within its territory.

Serbian publicist Zlatoje Martinov described the announcement as an irresponsible statement and an empty threat.

According to him, the idea is completely absurd, and implementing it would come at an extremely high cost to Serbia.

Martinov told “Bota sot” that this was yet another claim by Vučić with no connection to reality. He said diverting the Ibar River would require an extraordinarily complex infrastructure project from a technical standpoint and would cost Serbia several billion euros.

The publicist also questioned why Serbia would take out large loans from foreign banks. He stressed that the country is barely managing to finance Vučić’s megalomaniacal “EXPO 2027” project, while work is being delayed and the Serbian president is concerned about whether all the buildings will be completed by next summer.

Martinov believes that to put this plan into effect, Vučić would also need the approval of Europe and the world, which, in his view, he would not obtain.

He argued that rerouting the Ibar riverbed and “destroying Gazivoda Lake” would require not only vast sums of money and many years of technical work, but also international approval. According to Martinov, Vučić does not have such approval, and no one could obtain it, because this action would constitute a kind of crime against the people of Kosovo, as well as against the Serbs in Kosovo, whom the Serbian president swears by and claims to support.

In conclusion, Martinov described the Serbian president’s idea as more ridiculous than threatening.

According to him, powerlessness and anger often lead to misguided steps. Martinov said that Vučić’s statement, although intended as a threat against Kosovo, actually provokes more laughter than fear because implementing it in practice would be extremely difficult, if not virtually impossible. For this reason, he described the plan as one of Aleksandar Vučić’s “pipe dreams.”

The issue of diverting the Ibar River is of great importance to Kosovo.

The river is directly connected to the Gazivoda/Ujman water system and the Ibar-Lepenac canal.

Such an intervention would not be an ordinary diversion, but an action with a direct impact on Kosovo’s water and electricity supply, particularly at the two major power plants, Kosovo A and Kosovo B.

The European Union has also responded to Vučić’s idea.

The EU has called for statements about potentially diverting the Ibar River, as well as actions that do not contribute to normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia, to be avoided.

On August 11, a European Commission spokesperson said that progress toward normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia could be achieved only through dialogue.

In its response to Radio Free Europe, the European Commission stressed that statements, including those related to potential changes to the river’s course, as well as any actions that do not support this objective, should be avoided.

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced that his country is considering a project to shift the bed of the Ibar River within Serbia’s borders.

According to him, authorities in Belgrade have already mobilized a team of specialists on this issue.

During a statement to a Serbian media outlet on Sunday, Vučić also issued a warning, saying that after this action, the reaction and behavior of the Albanians will be seen.

“We have already called on field specialists – construction engineers and other professionals… While they are oppressing our people in this way, let’s try it. We have various motives to change the course of the Ibar and then we will see what the Albanians will undertake and how they will act,” he stated.

However, this is not the first time Vučić has mentioned this idea — he had held a similar position earlier.

In 2024, right after the sabotage act against vital infrastructure in Ibar-Lepenc, for which the Serbs themselves are suspected, he had claimed that Serbia had a project ready to divert the course of this river onto its own land.

Serbian publicist Zlatoje Martinov describes this as an irresponsible statement and an intimidation with no real basis.

According to him, it is a profound absurdity, which would furthermore cost Serbia dearly.

“This fits into a series of Vučić’s statements that have no connection to reality. Another hasty statement and empty threat. The claim that he will ‘change the course of the Ibar River’ is pure absurdity, because such an infrastructure undertaking requires extraordinary technical complexity and would cost Serbia billions of euros,” Martinov emphasizes to “Bota sot”.

He adds that his country is barely managing to secure the funds for Vučić’s grand project, “EXPO 2027”, where works have been delayed and the president himself is anxious whether the buildings will be completed by next summer.

Martinov also underlines that such an initiative would need the green light from the international community, which Vučić does not possess and could never obtain.

“Besides colossal funds and many years of technical work, shifting the bed of the Ibar and ‘destroying Lake Gazivoda’ requires the approval of Europe and the world — a consent that Vučić does not have and that no one can secure, as this would be considered a crime against the inhabitants of Kosovo, including the Serbs there whom he swears to protect,” the publicist argues.

In conclusion, he sees the Serbian president’s idea as more laughable than threatening, labeling it as “daydreams” of Aleksandar Vučić.

The importance of the Ibar’s flow for Kosovo is essential, as it is closely linked to the water system of Ujman/Gazivoda and the Ibar-Lepenc canal.

An intervention of this nature would not be merely a technical displacement, but an act with direct implications on Kosovo’s water and electricity supply, especially for the two energy giants Kosova A and Kosova B.

Consequently, the European Union has reacted to these claims by calling for the avoidance of statements and actions that do not contribute to the normalization process of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

“Progress towards the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia can only be achieved through dialogue,” a European Commission spokesperson stated on August 11, adding that statements about possible changes to river courses and actions that do not serve this purpose should be avoided.

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The European Union has called for statements about the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River to be avoided, along with any actions that do not contribute to the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

In a response to Radio Free Europe, a European Commission spokesperson said on August 11 that progress toward normalizing relations between the two countries can be achieved only through dialogue.

According to the European Commission, the parties should refrain from statements, including those related to possible changes to the river’s course, and from actions that do not support this objective.

The EU’s response came after Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on August 9 that Serbian authorities were consulting experts to examine the possibility of diverting the Ibar River. He linked the issue to the demolition of Serb-owned houses and villas near Ujman Lake in northern Kosovo.

Vučić’s statement prompted strong reactions from Kosovo officials and subsequently led to a public clash between official representatives of Albania and Serbia.

The European Commission also emphasized that progress in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade is a prerequisite for both parties to move forward in the European integration process.

The EU also addressed the recent demolitions in the Ujman Lake area, which Vučić mentioned when speaking about the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River.

The European Commission’s response said that concerns regarding the recent demolitions at Gazivoda/Ujman Lake had already been raised.

According to the European institution, any measure that could have irreversible consequences must be implemented in accordance with due legal procedures.

The Commission added that those affected must be provided with an effective opportunity to seek legal protection and, where applicable, interim judicial protection before the measure is carried out.

The Ibar River is approximately 270 kilometers long. It originates in Montenegro, flows through Serbia and then continues into Kosovo, where it feeds the artificial Ujman Lake.

Approximately two-thirds of the lake’s surface area lies within Kosovo’s territory.

The Ujman and Ibër-Lepenc systems supply water to seven municipalities. The water is also used for irrigation and to cool the power plants in Obiliq, which generate most of Kosovo’s electricity.

Experts previously interviewed by Radio Free Europe have assessed that diverting the Ibar River is technically feasible but would require extraordinarily high expenditure. According to them, if such an intervention caused damage to Kosovo, it would violate the principles of international law governing transboundary waters.

Serbia is a signatory to the 1997 United Nations Convention, which addresses the use of international watercourses for purposes other than navigation.

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Statements by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić about a possible diversion of the Ibar River have prompted a reaction from the European Union. According to the EU, such rhetoric does not serve the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

During a press conference, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs, Annita Hipper, was asked whether the Serbian president’s statements and any eventual action to divert the river’s course could also affect Serbia’s EU membership process.

“First, I want to focus on the main issue at hand, namely the statements made. Claims about a possible diversion of the river’s course, as well as any eventual actions in this direction, do not help achieve the goal of normal relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Such a thing can only be achieved through dialogue,” Hipper said.

The spokesperson stressed that progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is one of the conditions for both sides to advance toward the European Union.

“We also recall that progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is a prerequisite for each party to move forward on its European path,” Hipper added.

Her reaction followed a statement made on Sunday by Vučić, who said that Serbia is considering the possibility of diverting the Ibar River. He linked this idea to what, according to his claim, is the approach of Kosovo authorities toward the Serb community.

Vučić announced that he had called “experts” on this issue, among them “engineers and others.” He also asserted that Serbia has “various reasons for diverting the course of the Ibar’s water.”

“So we will see what the Albanians will do and how they will act,” Vučić told journalists while visiting bridge construction works in Belgrade.

The European Union has repeatedly reiterated that dialogue, together with the implementation of agreements reached within this process, remains crucial for Kosovo and Serbia’s progress on their European path.

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Another threatening message targeting Kosovo has emerged from Serbia, this time in the form of graffiti reading “When the army returns to Kosovo,” painted in Perućac, in the Bajina Bašta area. The inscription was painted in large letters and in the colors of the Serbian flag on a wall along the road to Mitrovac on Tara.

According to Serbian media, the graffiti appeared on August 9, the same day Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić issued threats against Kosovo involving one of its most strategic water resources, Ujman Lake, mentioning “changing the course of the Iber River.”

On Sunday, Vučić said Serbia was engaging construction and engineering experts to examine the possibility of diverting the course of the Iber, linking this to what he falsely described as the “mistreatment of the Serbian people.” “Since they are mistreating our people so much, let us see—we have various reasons for changing the course of the Iber, and then we will see what the Albanians will do and how they will behave,” Vučić said, attempting to present a distorted picture of the situation in Kosovo.

Graffiti bearing the message “When the army returns to Kosovo” is not new. For years, such messages have appeared in various locations across Serbia, including Belgrade. In 2023, they were painted on the fence surrounding the Serbian Army General Staff building and in several other parts of the Serbian capital. These inscriptions have also occasionally appeared in northern Kosovo.

Crvena Zvezda’s best-known supporters’ group has claimed responsibility for most of the graffiti, saying it financed the work itself, and added that the first example of this kind was created by Partizan supporters.

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The “Free Ukraine” sign, installed in a public space in Pristina to express solidarity with Ukraine, has been removed following statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Belgrade.

While in Serbia, Zelenskyy reiterated Kyiv’s official position, stating that Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

Shpend Lila announced the removal of the sign in a Facebook post, which included video footage of the moment it was taken down.

The Ukrainian president’s statement prompted reactions in Pristina, while the removal of the “Free Ukraine” message was seen as a symbolic act amid the ensuing debate.

Since the start of the Russian aggression, Kosovo has ranked among the countries that have strongly supported Ukraine, condemning the invasion and expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

However, Ukraine continues not to recognize Kosovo’s independence, a position Zelenskyy reaffirmed during his visit to Belgrade.

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Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine’s position on Kosovo remains unchanged. The Ukrainian president made the statement during his visit to Belgrade, where he held a meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vučić.

Speaking alongside Vučić, Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s position, declaring that Ukraine will not recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Albania’s Foreign Ministry responded to the statement. According to the ministry, Pristina’s situation cannot be equated with that of Kyiv, while Kosovo’s case must be assessed based on its own historical, political and legal circumstances.

The ministry described President Zelensky’s visit to Serbia as important, emphasizing that dialogue is always welcome, particularly when it creates opportunities for difficult issues to be addressed with clarity, responsibility and sensitivity.

The response states that Albania has supported and will continue to strongly support Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and European perspective. In the same way, our country firmly supports Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence, as well as its rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic family.

The ministry stresses that there should be no ambiguity on this issue. Any attempt to compare Kosovo or place it in the same equation as another international situation is described as wrong, opportunistic and deeply misleading.

According to the official position, the issue of Kosovo is grounded in its own distinct historical, political and legal foundations. At the request of the UN General Assembly, the International Court of Justice clearly determined that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not constitute a violation of international law.

The response explains that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine represents an entirely different case. It constitutes a serious violation of the UN Charter and international law, as well as a flagrant breach of the rules-based international order.

From Albania’s perspective, a peaceful, stable and European Western Balkans can be built only by accepting the reality and irreversibility of Kosovo’s independence. This independence has contributed to regional stability and is part of a future in which borders are not changed by force, while peoples and communities have the opportunity to determine their future in peace and security.

The ministry also reaffirms its conviction that Serbia and Kosovo should be part of the same European future.

The normalization of relations between them, which would ultimately lead to mutual recognition, would not weaken Serbia. On the contrary, such a development would help close one of the most painful chapters in the region’s recent history and pave the way for genuine reconciliation, good-neighborly relations and lasting peace.

According to the response, the Western Balkans needs this positive energy today, perhaps more than at any other time.

President Zelensky’s visit to Serbia primarily serves Ukraine’s interests, which is described as understandable and legitimate. Likewise, any action that helps Serbia distance itself further from Russia’s malign influence and move closer to Europe is viewed positively.

However, the ministry stresses that every engagement must also be used to reinforce one essential understanding: the Western Balkans must move toward the future and not turn back.

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