The German Bundestag decided to continue the participation of German troops in the NATO mission in Kosovo, as part of KFOR.
The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Defense in Germany, which emphasized that KFOR is militarily ensuring peace for the country.
While emphasizing that the situation in Kosovo and the region is stabilized, the ministry says that relations with Kosovo are characterized by ups and downs and that there is potential for conflict and escalation between them.
“The potential for conflict and escalation still exists. In 2023, for example, there were violent incidents in which KFOR soldiers and civilians were injured, some of them seriously. In late November 2024, an explosive attack was carried out on the central water supply network of Iber Lepenc. This shows that old tensions could erupt again at any time in Kosovo, especially in the Serb-majority north,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Defense further adds that due to the existing tensions, stabilization by KFOR and thus the presence of the German army in the region is still necessary. As stated, the personnel ceiling of up to 400 soldiers will be kept unchanged.