Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled how during the events in Yugoslavia in 1999, the then Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Anatoly Kvashnin, asked for his opinion on the seizure of the “Slatina” airport in Pristina. The head of state spoke about this in an interview for the film “Belgrade” on the “Russia 1” channel.
According to Putin, who at that time held the position of Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, when he asked the Chief of the General Staff why it was necessary to capture this airport, he replied: it is clear that we will have to leave at some point, but there will be something to negotiate with. According to Putin, Kvashnin did not dare to coordinate this operation of the Russian Armed Forces with senior officials, including the Ministry of Defense.
“He talked to me about it and asked for my opinion. And I told him: if you think it’s appropriate, go ahead,” Putin recalled.
In the same film, the Russian president called discussions about the fate of Yugoslavia under a different government in Russia meaningless.
In 1999, the forces of the North Atlantic Alliance carried out bombings of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). This was caused by the armed confrontation between Albanian separatists from the Kosovo Liberation Army and the security structures of Serbia. NATO air strikes continued from March 24 to June 10, 1999. On the night of June 12, Russian paratroopers made a march towards Kosovo, securing their zone of responsibility in the area of the international airport “Slatina” (the main military airfield near Pristina).
Earlier, Kosovo asked the United States for help because of Russia.
Title: Russian President Putin Recalls 1999 Events in Yugoslavia, Criticizes Prior Leadership
In a recent interview for the film “Belgrade,” Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed his recollections of the events in Yugoslavia in 1999. During that time, Putin was serving as the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and he shared an interesting anecdote about the then Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Anatoly Kvashnin.
According to Putin, Kvashnin had approached him for his opinion on the capture of the “Slatina” airport in Pristina. When Putin questioned the necessity of this operation, Kvashnin responded that while they would eventually have to withdraw, it would provide them with leverage for negotiations. However, Kvashnin refrained from seeking approval from higher-ranking officials, including the Ministry of Defense.
Reflecting on this conversation, Putin stated, “He spoke to me about it and asked for my opinion. I told him to proceed if he deemed it appropriate.”
The interview also touched upon the fate of Yugoslavia under a different government in Russia, with Putin dismissing such discussions as meaningless.
To provide some background, in 1999, the North Atlantic Alliance conducted airstrikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in response to the armed conflict between Albanian separatists from the Kosovo Liberation Army and Serbian security forces. The NATO air strikes lasted from March 24 to June 10, 1999.
Notably, Russian paratroopers made a significant move on June 12, as they executed a march towards Kosovo, establishing a zone of responsibility near the international airport “Slatina,” which served as a key military airfield near Pristina.
It is worth mentioning that prior to this development, Kosovo had sought assistance from the United States, citing concerns over Russia’s involvement.
This recollection by President Putin sheds light on the decision-making process and dynamics surrounding the events in Yugoslavia in 1999. The behind-the-scenes discussions and the lack of coordination between military officials and higher-ranking authorities reveal potential shortcomings in the decision-making structure at that time.
The film “Belgrade” provides viewers with valuable insights into this historical period, offering a critical examination of the actions and motivations of key figures involved. As we reflect on these events, it is important to consider the broader geopolitical context and the implications for international relations.
Overall, Putin’s recollection serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by world leaders during times of crisis, urging us to learn from the past as we navigate the present and future.
