US-Funded NGO Sparks Outrage by Hosting Pro-Putin Politician
In a controversial move, US-funded Kosovo-based NGO S Bunker interviewed pro-Putin politician Elvira Kovac, undermining Kosovo’s leadership and violating US-Kosovo agreements.
In a move that has stirred significant controversy, the US-funded Kosovo-based NGO S Bunker recently conducted an interview with Elvira Kovac, a politician known for her pro-Vladimir Putin and pro-Viktor Orban views. This interview is seen as a strategic attempt to undermine Kosovo’s democratically elected leadership, which has steadfastly refused to capitulate to Serbian interests, aiming to cement its power within the Republic of Kosovo under the guise of the Association for Serb Municipalities (ASM), akin to the Republika Srpska model in Bosnia.
Elvira Kovac, a member of the Serbian Parliament, used the platform to criticise Kosovo’s leadership, specifically Prime Minister Albin Kurti, accusing them of leveraging nationalist rhetoric to gain political strength. Kovac remarked, “This entire region of the Western Balkans, including Kosovo, has a history of nationalist rhetoric. The problem is that the current leadership, including Albin Kurti, gains political strength by leveraging this rhetoric. I have no better way to describe it. He is not constructive at all, and lately, it seems like no one cares whether the Western Balkan region is making progress towards the European Union.”
Kovac's pro-Putin stance was also highlighted in a recent interview with the Serbian 1newspaper NOVOSTI, where she praised Hungary's unique position within the EU to advocate for peace talks with Russia, contrasting sharply with the EU's broader stance. She criticized the EU for its approach to the Ukraine conflict, stating, "It is pointless to only speak against Russia, about sanctions, and not consider how much the reconstruction of Ukraine will cost and not work towards peace while people are dying." Kovac's remarks underscore a narrative that aligns closely with Kremlin rhetoric, undermining Western efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically and economically.
On May 19, 2024, the US Department of State 2emphasised the strategic priority of advancing Kosovo along its path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration during a meeting between Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Liz Allen and Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu in Pristina. They signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Kosovo on countering foreign state information manipulation. This 3MOU is part of the broader US-led Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation, aimed at developing coordinated responses to foreign information manipulation and protecting free and open societies.
S Bunker’s actions, including providing a platform to Elvira Kovac, directly contravene the principles outlined in this MOU.
Here’s how:
National Strategies and Policies: By inviting a politician known for supporting Russian interests, S Bunker undermines Kosovo’s national strategies aimed at countering foreign state information manipulation.
Governance Structures and Institutions: S Bunker’s actions do not align with the coordinated national efforts to counter foreign information manipulation, potentially weakening governance structures.
Human and Technical Capacity: Providing a platform to Kovac diminishes the efforts to build effective capacities and detect foreign state information manipulation.
Civil Society, Independent Media, and Academia: Supporting voices like Kovac’s contradicts the goal of promoting independent media and protecting democratic discourse from foreign influence.
Multilateral Engagement: S Bunker’s actions can hinder the multilateral cooperation needed to build resilience against foreign information manipulation, as outlined in the MOU.
This incident is not isolated. S Bunker has a history of propagating pro-Serbian rhetoric, undermining Kosovo’s interests and sovereignty. Their consistent alignment with Serbian and Russian geopolitical agendas casts serious doubt on their commitment to democratic values and regional stability. For instance, an 4opinion piece by Bronwyn Jones on S Bunker’s platform criticised the Kosovo government's plan to open the Iber Bridge to car traffic, echoing concerns that align with Serbian interests.
The continued allowance of such conduct by S Bunker poses a severe threat to Kosovo’s 5democratic integrity and its path towards European integration. Silence on this issue will only embolden Putin’s strategies, giving him a significant advantage in one of the United States’ most reliable allies in the Balkans. 6Agon Maliqi, co-founder of S Bunker, and 7Bardhi Bakija, the executive director, are responsible for this charade, enabling and appeasing pro-Kremlin propaganda while undermining democratic values and journalistic integrity. Despite being funded with US tax dollars, they seem fearlessly comfortable breaching US-Kosovo inter-state agreements to deliver Russian propaganda to Kosovars, likely advancing the Kremlin's agenda while masquerading as champions against disinformation.
Under Secretary Allen’s Meeting with Kosovan President Osmani — US State Department.
The Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation — FACT SHEET.
Coordinated Attacks That Threaten Democratic Discourse in Kosovo — FRONTLINER.
Bardhi Bakija’s post undermining journalism — X.com/BardhiBakija.