Albanian Language Media: 

• Another session of Kosovo Assembly, no signs of breaking deadlock (Express)
• Macron hopes Kosovo-Serbia dialogue will resume in coming weeks (media)
• Osmani meets Macron, Erdogan and Kallas at EPC Summit in Tirana (media)
• War veterans write to Grenell: Special Court must be closed (Express)
• Maqedonci: Vucic’s visit to Moscow, proof of strong ties with Russia (RTK) 
• KFOR medical units conduct Air MEDEVAC training (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic's Nis rally ends abruptly as students claim symbolic victory (N1)
• Vucic in Nis: “Kosovo is a vow,” as Pristina seizes Serbian institutions (KoSSev, N1)
• ‘Proaktiv’ association backs student efforts to preserve Serbian education in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Rizvanolli: Mitrovica Water Company wants access to North Fund, we expect EU support (KoSSev)
• Lawyers: Two prosecution witnesses “like defense witnesses,” third unrelated to events in indictment (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

International Media: 

• Kosovo’s ‘Commander Wolf’ appeals against guilty verdict in Hague trial (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

Another session of Kosovo Assembly, no signs of breaking deadlock (Express)

Members of the Kosovo Assembly will meet in another session today, the 18th in a row to constitute the new legislative. The news website notes that since the MPs were sworn in on April 19, the constitutive session is in a deadlock over the election of the new Assembly Speaker. 

Macron hopes Kosovo-Serbia dialogue will resume in coming weeks (media)

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that he hopes the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will resume in the coming weeks. During a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, Macron said that a lot of time has been spent in the dialogue and that the EU has the legitimacy to ask for concrete progress on political issues. “I hope that in the coming weeks we will resume the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, because every country has faced political and social difficulties to make progress. The requests are legitimate and there should be no indirect dialogue because that is not the right way to move forward,” he said.

Osmani meets Macron, Erdogan and Kallas at EPC Summit in Tirana (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met at the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, with French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. 

Osmani said she thanked Erdogan “for his unwavering support for our people and for consistently advocating, as well as working side by side with us to strengthen Kosovo’s international standing”. 

After meeting Merz, Osmani wrote in a post on X: “Germany has long stood by Kosovo, as a friend, a partner, and a steadfast ally. It was a pleasure to meet Merz in Tirana during the EPC Leaders’ Summit. I look forward to working with the Chancellor to strengthen our partnership as we work together toward a shared European future”.

Osmani said after meeting Kallas that “her continued support for EU enlargement and a secure, strong Europe is deeply valued. We believe the EU should rise to the moment, with courage, clarity and conviction, qualities that define the leadership of High Representative Kallas”.

War veterans write to Grenell: Special Court must be closed (Express)

The organization of the KLA War Veterans has sent a letter to U.S. Presidential Envoy for special missions Richard Grenell, on what they called violations by the Specialist Chambers in the Hague against the former leaders of the KLA and other defendants. They argued that the court “must be closed” because “it is a disgrace for American justice and American values”.

“Honorable Ambassador, we are addressing you not as politicians, but as veterans to another veteran. Brothers in arms. Defenders of freedom. We are asking you to raise this issue with your administration. American taxpayers did not send their hard-earned money to Europe to finance a court that violates the values upon which America was built. President Trump is rewriting the old rules of political control over the independent judiciary and according to these new rules, this court should be closed,” they argued.

The war veterans said the behavior of the court is an abuse “that cannot be tolerated”. “America was with us when we needed it the most. And now we are asking you again, please, do not allow this court to write a false history. Do not allow corrupt elites to turn veterans into thugs. This is not just a call for help but a call to defend freedom, once again,” the letter notes.

The war veterans also called for a full review, financial audit and an independent investigation into the operations of the Specialist Chambers.

Maqedonci: Vucic’s visit to Moscow, proof of strong ties with Russia (RTK)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said in an interview with RTK, that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s visit to Moscow for the military parade is proof of Serbia’s strong ties with Russia. “Serbia is continuing to prove everyday its ties with autocratic countries such as the Russian Federation and other countries, not only formally by attending activities like the military parade in Moscow, but also by cooperating and purchasing weapons from those countries,” he said.

Maqedonci also said that “Serbia has not changed its hegemonistic approach vis-à-vis Kosovo and this is best seen in their statements and actions and also the support that security institutions in Serbia give to elements that have carried out terrorist activities in our country”.

KFOR medical units conduct Air MEDEVAC training (media)

Medical units of the U.S. Army, Hungarian Defence Forces, German Armed Forces, and Swiss Medical Team conducted Air MEDEVAC Training at the  headquarters of the NATO-led KFOR mission at Camp Film City in Pristina, KFOR said in a Facebook post. “The units trained how to evacuate casualties in realistic conditions, by loading and unloading patients during aircraft operations. Cross-national training ensures all KFOR nations can respond to any medical crisis in a standardized and effective way,” the post notes.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic's Nis rally ends abruptly as students claim symbolic victory (N1)

A major rally of Serbia’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) party in Nis ended abruptly on Saturday, just 30 seconds after President Aleksandar Vucic concluded his speech. Despite being promoted as a three-day event, no activities took place on Friday, and by Sunday morning, the stage and tents were already being dismantled.

N1 reporter Petar Gajic, who covered the rally, noted the swift departure of attendees immediately after Vucic’s speech, with most hurrying to buses. He contrasted this with a simultaneous student protest, calling it a “symbolic victory” for the students who remain in Nis, unlike SNS supporters, who quickly dispersed. While the SNS rally was highly organised and professionally staged, Gajic observed signs of fatigue in the party’s apparatus, pointing out that many attendees admitted they came only because they were invited, not due to political conviction.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/47ztjmz8

Vucic in Nis: “Kosovo is a vow,” as Pristina seizes Serbian institutions (KoSSev, N1)

While Kosovo authorities continue taking over the last remaining buildings used by Serbian institutions in the north of Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told his supporters in Nis that “Kosovo is the heart, soul, and vow of Serbia.”

At the main rally of the "All-People Assembly," held from May 16 to 18 and organized by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), Vucic sharply criticized the opposition and students participating in the nearby protest “Izbori(mo) se” (“Let’s Win the Elections”), which took place at King Aleksandar Square—just a few hundred meters from the presidential gathering.

He accused the demonstrators of openly advocating for the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, calling them “foreign mercenaries” and “traitors.” “Is it possible that in Niš, people support those who want to recognise an independent Kosovo?” he asked. “There come times when the scum rises to the surface,” Vucic added, calling this a symptom of “the worst and hardest times.”

At the same time, according to the KoSSev news portal, over the past four days, the municipality of North Mitrovica—assisted by Kosovo Police and backed by central authorities—has taken control of six public buildings previously used by Serbian institutions. These included offices for the local waterworks, the National Employment Service, a sports hall, and several cultural institutions.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3a2mptab

‘Proaktiv’ association backs student efforts to preserve Serbian education in Kosovo (KoSSev)

The Proaktiv Association of the University of Pristina, temporarily based in North Mitrovica, has publicly supported the appeal of the university’s students, who are seeking assistance to ensure that their educational institution remains within the system of the Republic of Serbia.

In a statement, Proaktiv expressed strong backing for the students’ appeal, emphasizing the challenges faced by the university and the potential closure of health and education services—currently the only two institutions still operating within Serbia’s system in the region.

“We strongly support the Appeal of our university students in their effort to highlight the difficulties and the potential shutdown of healthcare and education, the only two institutions functioning within the system of the Republic of Serbia,” the statement read.

Call for broader academic support

Proaktiv, which comprises professors and associates from the University of Pristina with its temporary headquarters in North Mitrovica, has also urged Serbia’s academic community to join in support.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2ycy2pwp

Rizvanolli: Mitrovica Water Company wants access to North Fund, we expect EU support (KoSSev)

In the same week, Kosovo authorities assumed control over water facilities in North Mitrovica and Zubin Potok and subsequently requested financial support from the Northern Development Fund. The move was confirmed by Artane Rizvanolli, the Acting Minister for Economic Development, who stated that the government in Pristina, also in a technical mandate, has strongly endorsed the request. The authorities are now seeking support from the EU, which oversees the fund. However, the EU expressed reservations about the recent actions.

Series of takeovers and reactions

During a four-day period this week, nine institutions previously operated under the Serbian system, were taken over by Kosovo authorities. These include the water supply facility in North Mitrovica, the pump station in Suvi Do, the new water facility in Zubin Potok, the Sports Hall, the Youth and Specialized Services Institution, the cultural society and library, a house known as the City Museum, and the National Employment Service.

Kosovo authorities changed the symbols on the buildings, replaced locks, and dismissed workers in North Mitrovica water supply facility, pending a new hiring process. Bashkim Kurti from the south was appointed as the new acting director.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/y4r7rdkk

Lawyers: Two prosecution witnesses “like defense witnesses,” third unrelated to events in indictment (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

Before the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina, three prosecution witnesses were heard on Friday in the case against Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic, who are accused of alleged war crimes against the civilian population in Vucitrn during the 1999 conflict. According to Milovic’s lawyer, Milos Delevic, two of the witnesses confirmed through their testimonies that his client had participated in rescuing Albanian civilians during the conflict in Kosovo. The third witness, in Zoran Kostic’s case, has no direct connection to the events listed in the indictment, said Kostic’s lawyer, Predrag Miljkovic.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/t9t6t8x8

International 

Kosovo’s ‘Commander Wolf’ appeals against guilty verdict in Hague trial (Prishtina Insight)

Former Kosovo Liberation Army guerrilla Pjeter Shala appealed against the verdict jailing him for 18 years for war crimes – but the prosecution and victims’ representative insisted the sentencing was fair.

Pjeter Shala, known during wartime by the nom de guerre Commander Wolf, launched his appeal on Thursday and Friday at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against a guilty verdict for the arbitrary detention and torture of at least 18 wartime detainees and the murder of one prisoner.

The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and the legal counsel representing the victims’ interests in the trial urged the court to confirm the 18-year sentence.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/y9pa9nvt