Why did Vučić threaten to divert the Ibar River?

As a response to the demolition of houses and vacation homes of Serbs at Gazivode Lake in northern Kosovo, carried out by Pristina authorities.

Why is Gazivode Lake so important?

Gazivode Lake supplies water to seven municipalities, serves for irrigation, and cools the thermal power plants in Obilić, which produce most of Kosovo's electricity.

Is diverting the Ibar technically feasible?

According to expert assessments, it is technically feasible but would be extremely costly and contrary to international law on transboundary waters.

World

EU warns Vučić: Diverting the Ibar does not lead to normalization

Q: What is the European Union's stance on this issue?

The EU warned that statements about diverting the river do not contribute to the normalization of relations and called on both sides to engage in dialogue.

A.B. · Prije 14h | 2 min

The Serbian president threatened to change the river's course in response to the demolition of Serbian structures in Kosovo, drawing a sharp reaction from Brussels.

Summary

On August 9, 2026, Aleksandar Vučić announced the possibility of diverting the Ibar River in response to the demolition of Serbian structures in Kosovo.
On August 11, the European Union warned that such statements do not contribute to the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Gazivode Lake, fed by the Ibar, is crucial for water supply and electricity generation in Kosovo.
Diverting the river's course would contravene the 1997 UN Convention on transboundary waters.

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The European Union warned on Tuesday that statements by top Serbian officials about a possible diversion of the Ibar River do not contribute to the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reported.

Vučić's threat as a response to demolitions

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on August 9, 2026, that Serbian authorities are considering, along with experts, the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River. This measure was presented as a reaction to actions by Pristina authorities who demolished Serbian structures in the Gazivode Lake area in northern Kosovo.

His statement immediately sparked strong reactions from officials in Kosovo and ignited a polemic between Albanian and Serbian officials.

Brussels: Dialogue is the only path

The European Union said that such moves should be avoided.

"Statements, including those about possible changes to river courses, as well as actions that are not in line with this goal, should be avoided,"

RFE quotes the EU's response.

Brussels also reminded that progress in normalizing relations, which is a key condition for the European integration of both sides, can only be achieved through dialogue. They also addressed the disputed demolitions at Gazivode Lake, stressing that

"any coercive measure that would have irreversible consequences must be carried out in accordance with prescribed procedures."

Pristina was told that owners of demolished structures must have the opportunity for legal protection before demolition is carried out.

What would diverting the Ibar mean?

The Ibar, which is approximately 270 kilometers long, originates in Montenegro, then passes through Serbia, and finally reaches Kosovo, where it fills the Gazivode reservoir. Two-thirds of this lake lies on Kosovo's territory, and the river then flows back into Serbia.

Water from Gazivode serves seven municipalities and is also used for irrigation and cooling thermal power plants in Obilić, which generate the majority of the country's electricity. Expert assessments from earlier periods indicate that diverting the Ibar is technically possible, but the costs of such an undertaking would be very high. Causing damage to Kosovo in this way would violate international legal norms governing transboundary waters, as well as the provisions of the 1997 UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, which Serbia has also signed.