US Ambassador to NATO talks with leaders in Kosovo about the security situation

The US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, met with senior state leaders in Kosovo, and with those of the KFOR mission, with whom he discussed the security situation.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke with the senior American official about US support for the country and cooperation with the Kosovo Security Force, through training and education, as well as "increasing defense capacities."

"Speaking about the security situation in the Western Balkans, the Prime Minister said that it remains fragile because Serbia, supported by Russia and China, continues to pursue a regional hegemonic policy. He also spoke about the arming of the northern neighbor, with emphasis on recent purchases by Russia and China, as threats to long-term regional stability and good neighborliness in the Balkans," the statement issued by the Government of Kosovo said.

Recently, Serbia has said it will purchase new military equipment, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić saying that the security situation is complex due to the "military alliance of Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb."

Kosovo, Albania and Croatia signed a declaration last year to deepen cooperation in the field of defense and security, which Serbia sees as an “alliance against Serbs and Serbia.” The three countries have consistently rejected Belgrade’s claim.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ambassador Whitaker met with Acting President Albulena Haxhiu.

After the meeting at the Kosovo Presidency, a statement said that Whitaker and Haxhiu discussed political developments, security in the region, and the importance of "close coordination among allies" to face the challenges of the time.

"I expressed my gratitude for the unwavering support that the United States has provided to Kosovo over the years, as well as my appreciation for Ambassador Whitaker's commitment to strengthening our strategic partnership and security in the region," said Haxhiu.

The US Embassy in Pristina said that the visit of the American official is an opportunity to discuss common interests in the field of security.

"His visit presents an opportunity to discuss shared security interests and Kosovo's continued role in contributing to U.S. regional and global security priorities," the U.S. Embassy wrote on social media.

Meanwhile, the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, at the start of his visit met with the commander of the alliance's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, Major General Ozgan Ulutaş.

According to the announcement, Ulutash briefed the US ambassador on the security situation in the region, highlighting KFOR's role in "maintaining a safe environment" for all people in Kosovo.

"In this regard, Major General Ulutash expressed gratitude for the long-standing and valuable contribution of the US to the KFOR mission," the mission said in a statement.

Kosovo aims to become part of the western military alliance NATO, but in this alliance there are four states that still do not recognize Kosovo's independence, while Washington supports Kosovo's aspiration for membership in the alliance.

Kosovo considers the alliance with the United States, a country that has contributed to Kosovo's independence and state-building, to be essential.

Currently, the Kosovo Security Force is in the process of transforming into a full army, which is expected to be completed in 2028.

The US has supported the transformation of the KSF into an army from the beginning, but not NATO, which insists that the KSF stick to its original tasks, such as crisis response or civil protection.

Pristina, during the process of transforming the KSF into an army, is also being equipped with new weapons, including those produced in the US. The country is also host to the largest American base in the Balkans, Bondsteel.

Likewise, Kosovo will also be part of the International Stabilization Force for Gaza.

The International Stabilization Force is a mechanism created as part of the Peace Board initiative, proposed by US President Donald Trump, to achieve world peace.

Kosovo is among the first five states – along with Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan and Albania – that have pledged to engage in this mission, with the aim of providing security and supervising the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Before visiting Kosovo, Ambassador Whitaker stayed in North Macedonia and Croatia./ REL