The UN Security Council is expected to hold its first briefing of the year on Kosovo in April.
During the session, the Special Representative and head of the UNMIK, Peter Due, will report on recent developments and the latest report from the UN Secretary-General, according to Klankosova.
According to the document, “there has been no significant progress in the EU-mediated dialogue for the normalization of relations between” Kosovo and Serbia.
In an effort to revive the process, the EU Special Envoy for the Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, held separate meetings with senior officials in Pristina and Belgrade in January and February, including with Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
On January 22, Sorensen brought together Kosovo and Serbian chief negotiators in Brussels for the first meeting of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons, a trilateral body overseeing the implementation of the 2023 Declaration on Missing Persons.
Meanwhile, on January 16, Kurti announced plans for the gradual integration of health and education institutions supported by Serbia in Serb-majority areas into Kosovo’s system.
Sorensen emphasized that “any such integration must be comprehensive, in line with previous commitments, and designed to avoid disruption of essential services,” highlighting the need for structured consultations with the Serbian community in Kosovo.
The UN Security Council report notes that security rhetoric in the region has intensified in recent months.
“On February 11, Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo agreed on their first joint exercise of 2026 after a meeting of their defense officials. This step prompted a sharp reaction from Belgrade, with the Serbian Ministry of Defense condemning the trilateral meeting and linked security plans as a violation of Resolution 1244, emphasizing that KFOR remains the only legitimate armed formation in Kosovo with a clearly defined mandate,” the report states.
The report also criticized post-election developments after December 28, noting that although Vetëvendosje won over half the votes with 57 seats in parliament, the post-election process was prolonged due to a nationwide recount and an investigation into vote manipulation, in which over 100 people were arrested, although the election result remained unchanged.
“On February 11, the parliament approved a new government led by Kurti, ending over a year of political deadlock.”
“However, expectations that the new government would restore political stability proved short-lived. On March 5, the Kosovo parliament failed to elect a president within the constitutional deadline, as the ruling party could not secure the necessary support and participation for the vote. President Osmani dissolved the parliament on March 6 and called for early elections, but the Constitutional Court intervened. After initially temporarily halting Osmani from setting an election date before March 31, the court ruled on March 25 that the decree to dissolve parliament had no legal effect and gave the assembly 34 days to elect a president,” the UN Security Council report states, according to Klankosova.tv.
The Council emphasizes that maintaining stability in Kosovo and reducing tensions in the north remains a key priority.
Another key issue is whether the Council can help maintain momentum behind the EU-facilitated dialogue and ensure the implementation of existing commitments.
“Another challenge for the Council is how to encourage constructive discussion on this politically sensitive issue. During open briefings on Kosovo, Belgrade and Pristina typically present deeply opposing views on sources of regional instability. These meetings often become arenas for public posturing rather than substantive engagement. This dynamic can weaken any positive momentum and shift attention back to mutual accusations,” the report notes.
“Instead of open briefings, members may consider holding closed consultations—or private meetings—which would also be confidential but allow participation of Kosovo and Serbian officials, unlike the closed briefings. This could enable a more candid exchange on obstacles to implementing EU-mediated dialogue commitments and advancing the normalization process,” the UN report adds.
In response to Kosovo’s multiple challenges, the Council could also consider adopting a presidential statement that “expresses support for Sorensen, urges Belgrade and Pristina to engage in good faith and fulfill expected commitments without preconditions, and emphasizes that any measures affecting Kosovo’s Serbian community should avoid disrupting essential services and encourage comprehensive implementation in line with prior dialogue commitments.”
The report further notes that most Council members support the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, but divisions among permanent members remain deep.
“Among the five permanent members, France, the United Kingdom, and the US recognize Kosovo’s independence and tend to support its government; China and Russia do not recognize it and strongly back Serbia’s stance and territorial claims. Elected members Bahrain, Colombia, Denmark, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, and Panama recognize Kosovo’s independence, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and Greece do not. Somalia is said to have recognized Kosovo in May 2010, although this recognition has been disputed by Serbian officials in recent years and later reaffirmed by Kosovo authorities,” the report states.
Regarding the UNMIK mandate, the report says the idea of closing the mission is controversial among Council members, noting that “the US has been the loudest supporter of reviewing UNMIK operations and eventually phasing it out.”
“In the Council briefing on Kosovo on October 21, 2025, the US described UNMIK as an ‘overstretched peacekeeping mission’ and called for its functions to be transferred to more suitable agencies.”
“Denmark and the UK similarly argued that a strategic review had been delayed.”
“France has taken a more cautious stance, supporting both ‘reasonable efforts to improve and streamline peacekeeping missions through efficiency measures’ and the extension of UNMIK’s mandate as long as necessary, stressing that the mission’s mandate is closely linked to the normalization process.”
“Russia, in contrast, opposed changes to UNMIK’s mandate or budget, maintaining that the mission continues to play a vital role,” the UN Security Council report concludes. It is expected to be discussed this month.
