Vučić says he has invited experts to change the course of the Ibar River

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that they are considering changing the course of the Ibar River in Serbian territory, due to, as he said, the attitude of the Pristina authorities towards the Serbian people in Kosovo.

Vučić had mentioned this two years ago while denying Serbia's involvement in the explosion that damaged the Ibër-Lepenc water canal, in Varađa, Zubin Potok.

According to Vučić, since 1985 "there has been an idea to change the flow" of the Ibar River for the needs of the population in the towns near the lake, which would consequently dry up the Ujman River, which supplies Kosovo. According to him, this could happen with a decision of the Serbian Government. 

"We have already invited experts who deal with this issue, the construction sector, engineers and others. Since they are mistreating our people so much, let's see, we have different reasons for changing the course of the Ibar, and then we will see what the Albanians will do and how they will behave," Vučić declared to journalists on Sunday during a visit to the works at the Old Railway Bridge in Belgrade.

Serbian President Vučić has also spoken about the demolition of villas around Ujman, which he said he is closely following as a development.

The demolished villas around Ujman were illegally built on land administered by the public enterprise "Ibër-Lepenc". Dozens of them have been demolished so far.

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"We are a sovereign state, you know. Sometimes we have interests of this kind, sometimes of another kind, and, in accordance with these interests, we will behave. For those who are great defenders of our people, ask our people in Kosovo who they see as their only defender, because I see these circumstances very well and deal with them every day. And it is very difficult. Meanwhile, is it an option for us at this moment to enter into war with NATO? I think it is not," Vučić added.

The explosion in the "Ibër-Lepenc" water canal in the village of Varage, Zubin Potok, in November 2024, which is suspected to have been carried out with about 20 kilograms of explosives, has been described by Kosovo authorities as a terrorist attack, and Serbia has been held responsible for it.

In this case, an indictment has been filed against three people, whose trial is still ongoing. According to the Special Prosecution's file, Jovan Viqentijevic is suspected of intentionally damaging the water supply equipment and committing a terrorist act using explosives, together with his brother, Dragisa Viqentijevic.