Context: 

After the escalation of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia in at least a decade, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) recently sent 700 more of its peacekeeping troops to Kosovo. 

Image Source: The Hindu

Timeline of the issue:

• 12th Century: The Serbian Empire gains control of Kosovo.
• 1389: Serbia lost Kosovo for 500 years to the Ottoman Empire in the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. 
  • During the Ottoman Rule, the ethnic and religious balance shifted in Kosovo, leading it to become a majority ethnic Albanian region with Muslims.
• Early 20th Century: Kosovo becomes part of Serbia.
• Post-World War II: Kosovo is made an autonomous province within Serbia.
• 1989: Serbia strips Kosovo of its autonomy.
• Late 1990s: The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), consisting mainly of Kosovo Albanians, leads an insurgency against Serbian rule in Kosovo.
• 1999: NATO intervenes by carrying out air raids and bombardment of Serb targets, forcing Serbia to end hostilities and withdraw from Kosovo. NATO deploys 50,000 peacekeepers.
• 2008: Kosovo unilaterally declares independence from Serbia.

Present Situation:

• Both Kosovo and Serbia lie in the Balkans, a region of Europe made up of countries that were once a part of the erstwhile Republic of Yugoslavia. 
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling determined that Kosovo’s declaration of independence was not against international law.
• Kosovo is recognized as an independent country by approximately 100 nations, including the United States and several EU member countries. 
• However, Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty and still considers it part of its territory. 
• Kosovo’s bid for United Nations membership requires Serbia’s approval, but this is unlikely due to Serbia’s diplomatic allies, Russia and China, who would likely veto such a decision.

News Source: The Hindu