DISINFO: US trying to provoke Serbia into a military operation
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: sputnik.az (archived)*
  • Date of publication: December 14, 2022
  • Article language(s): Azerbaijani
  • Reported in: Issue 321
  • Countries / regions discussed: Serbia, Kosovo, US
Tags:
Kosovo ethnic tension US presence in Europe

DISINFO: US trying to provoke Serbia into a military operation

SUMMARY

The Atlanticists, more precisely the employees of the US embassy in Pristina, are trying to provoke Serbia into military operations to protect the Serbian population of Kosovo, and to force Russia to intervene in the conflict on the side of the Serbs.

RESPONSE

A new narrative specific on the Kosovo situation using a classic Kremlin trope: US causing conflict and war.

This anti-Western disinformation advances the narrative that the US is provoking conflict in the Western Balkans and forcing Russia to intervene. No evidence is provided that the recent heightened tensions between Kosovo and Serbia are being provoked by the US embassy in Kosovo.

The spark that ignited recent tension between Kosovo and Serbia in 2022 was that Kosovo's government wanted those who live in Serb areas to change their Serbian-issued car number plates for Kosovan-issued ones. About 50,000 people refused to change their car number plates and it increased tension between the Serbian and Kosovo government. Under the facilitation of the EU, Serbia and Kosovo agreed on measures to avoid further escalation.

The United States welcomed the agreements reached between Kosovo and Serbia to avoid further escalation.

Russian state outlets, like this Sputnik platform try to talk up the crisis in Kosovo.

See more cases Disinfo: Pristina is entirely responsible for the tension in Northern Kosovo and It became possible for Crimea to return to Russia when the West recognised Kosovo.

Embed

Related disinfo cases

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

    Your opinion matters!

    Data Protection Information *

      Subscribe to the Disinfo Review

      Your weekly update on pro-Kremlin disinformation

      Data Protection Information *

      The Disinformation Review is sent through Mailchimp.com. See Mailchimp’s privacy policy and find out more on how EEAS protects your personal data.