# Serbia-Kosovo tensions over Mitrovica bridge > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-kosovo-tensions-over-mitrovica-bridge > Updated: 2026-09-03T11:50:00.000Z. Sources: 108. Developments: 4. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has intensified his opposition to Western actions in Kosovo, specifically regarding the opening of the main bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica to vehicle traffic. Vučić described the move as a ‘civilizational shame’ and a ‘great shame and disappointment,’ arguing that the decision was made without the consent of Serbian mayors in the north. He accused KFOR Commander General Ozkan Ulutas of driving the plan and expressed his intention to petition NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to protest the development. While the European Union stated that conditions for opening the bridge had been met, Petar Petković, Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, has formally protested to EU special envoy Peter Sørensen. Petković argues that the EU assessment is inaccurate because key prerequisites, such as the demarcation of the Suvi Do cadastral zone, remain unresolved, and that the current security situation makes opening the bridge unsafe for the local Serbian population. Vučić has escalated his diplomatic efforts by sending a formal letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, urging KFOR to prevent the bridge opening and to halt the gradual reduction of its permanent presence at the site. He warned that transferring security responsibilities to local Kosovo police could lead to the persecution of Serbs and Christians, stating, ‘I am afraid, and everyone is afraid.’ He continues to demand the implementation of the 2013 Brussels Agreement and the establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities to ensure regional stability. ## Claims - President Vučić sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding security concerns in Kosovo. (disputed by 13 sources) - Aleksandar Vučić intends to write a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (disputed by 3 sources) - Serbia will hold snap parliamentary elections on October 18 or 25, 2026. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Anti-government protests were triggered by a fatal railway station accident in Novi Sad in November 2024. (corroborated by 11 sources) - President Vučić is considering the possibility of diverting the flow of the Ibër River as a response to developments in Kosovo. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Vučić indicated he would resign from the presidency to run for prime minister. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Vučić claims the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, a key part of the 2013 Brussels Agreement, has not been implemented. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) needs at least 126 mandates to secure a parliamentary majority. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The European Union confirmed that conditions have been met to open the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica to traffic. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Over 800 ethnically motivated attacks against the Serbian community were recorded between 2021 and 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Vučić accused KFOR Commander General Ozkan Ulutas of being responsible for the plan to open the bridge. (corroborated by 3 sources) - President Vučić questioned the humanitarian grounds for keeping Ratko Mladić in prison, noting his declining health. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The President of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals denied requests to release Ratko Mladić for medical treatment in Serbia. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) will contest the elections against all other political options. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Mayor of North Mitrovica, Milan Radojević, stated that KFOR's withdrawal could endanger the Serbian community by leaving the bridge to the Kosovo police. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Vučić announced a special development program for five districts in southern Serbia. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Serbia is not asking for Ratko Mladić to be released home, but to be transferred to the Military Medical Academy (VMA) in Belgrade. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The decision to open the bridge was made without the approval of North Mitrovica Mayor Millan Radojevic. (single source) - Serbian General Staff Chief Millan Mojsilovic had a tense conversation with the KFOR commander. (single source) - The NATO-led KFOR mission announced a gradual withdrawal from the bridge connecting northern and southern Mitrovica. (single source) - Aleksandar Vučić recorded 64 live television appearances from the beginning of August to August 18. (single source) - A citizen in Prokuplje claimed that promised aid for a woman named Miljana Stojanović had not arrived. (single source) - Aleksandar Vučić stated he had personally provided money to Miljana Stojanović. (single source) - A worker from Blaca reported losing his job because he did not attend an SNS meeting. (single source) - Miloš Vučević stated that Aleksandar Vučić will visit the Mačvanski, Jablanički, Pčinjski, and Raški districts. (single source) - President Vučić stated that without the Serbian List, there will be no Serbs in Kosovo. (single source) - The Serbian government proposed a nearly 968 million euro financial aid package for citizens and pensioners. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Aleksandar Vučić warns of risks regarding Kosovo bridge security Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić warned that NATO's plan to reduce its presence at the Ibar Bridge in Kosovo could lead to the persecution of Serbs and Christians in Mitrovica. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aleksandar-vui-warns-of-risks-regarding-kosovo-bridge-security ### 2026-08-20: Serbia to hold snap parliamentary elections in October 2026 President Aleksandar Vučić has announced snap Serbian parliamentary elections for October 18 or 25, 2026, amid political pressure and ongoing security disputes in Kosovo regarding KFOR's presence. 83 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vui-urges-nato-to-protect-serbs-and-block-ibar-bridge-opening ### 2026-08-18: Vučić appeals to NATO to block Ibar bridge opening in Kosovo President Aleksandar Vučić has appealed to NATO to block the opening of the Ibar bridge in Kosovo and suggested diverting the river's course. He also challenged the detention of Ratko Mladić. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbias-vui-to-petition-nato-over-mitrovica-bridge-opening ### 2026-08-17: Regional tensions rise over Belgrade's diplomatic absence and Ibar bridge security Belgrade faces criticism for skipping the Sarajevo Mayors Summit, while officials dispute EU claims regarding the readiness to reopen the Ibar bridge in Kosovo. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belgrade-faces-criticism-over-sarajevo-summit-absence-and-ibar-bridge-dispute --- Cite as: Serbia-Kosovo tensions over Mitrovica bridge. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-kosovo-tensions-over-mitrovica-bridge