Train covered in ‘Kosovo is Serbian’ slogans is halted at border

A Serbian train halted at the border with Kosovo and bearing signs reading “Kosovo is Serbian,” has fueled a major crisis in the Balkans and escalated a potential Russia-West row over dominance in the heart of the war-torn region.

Serbia accused Kosovo’s leaders on Sunday of “wanting war” and warned that it would defend “every inch” of its territory, a day after the train, provocatively decorated in Serbian Christian Orthodox symbols and flags, was prevented from entering the neighbouring nation.

Kosovo, supported by much of the West, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. But, Serbia and its Slavic Orthodox ally, Russia, do not recognise the split.

Serbia has sought to maintain influence in Kosovo’s north, where most of the country’s Serb minority lives. Nato-led troops have controlled Kosovo’s borders since a three-month air war in 1999 to stop a bloody Serbian crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic issued the warning Sunday after the passenger train, inscribed with “Kosovo is Serbian” in 20 languages and painted in the colours of the Serbian flag, was prevented from crossing into Kosovo, where his government contends ethnic Serbs are under threat from Kosovo Albanians.

“Yesterday, we were on the verge of clashes,” Nikolic said in the strongest rhetoric since the Nato-led troops took control of Kosovo’s borders in 1999.