Washington/Pristina, July 30, 2025 — A joint letter by U.S. Congresswomen Claudia Tenney and Chrissy Houlahan to President Donald Trump, urging a final peace deal based on mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia, is being hailed as a fresh push toward resolving one of the Balkans’ most persistent disputes.
Foreign policy experts see the move as a sign that the United States increasingly recognizes that only a comprehensive and final agreement between Pristina and Belgrade can bring lasting peace to the Western Balkans.
“This letter demonstrates that momentum is building—specifically toward the most crucial point: a final agreement,” said Professor Dritëro Arifi, an expert in international relations. “Even in the U.S., they’re tired of endless agreements that don’t solve the root issue. Both the EU and the U.S. have heavily invested in achieving sustainable peace.”
However, the development comes at a politically uncertain time for Kosovo, which is currently without a newly formed parliament or government—limiting its ability to effectively lobby in Washington as a committed partner eager to close the chapter with Serbia.
As A2 CNN notes, a breakthrough deal would also serve the foreign policy interests of the Trump administration, offering a significant international success story.
“In U.S. foreign policy, there’s always a need for a success story. Ending a long-standing conflict and achieving a peace agreement—especially during or at the end of President Trump’s term—would be a major diplomatic win not only for the U.S. but also for Europe,” Professor Arifi added.
The European Union, after nearly 15 years of stalled negotiations, would likely welcome such a resolution—especially one driven by Washington.
At the same time, Serbia will also have to come to terms with the reality that compromises are inevitable in concluding this prolonged process.
“If the U.S. has analyzed the situation thoroughly and decides that a final agreement is necessary—not only to resolve this conflict but also to set a precedent for resolving others—then neither Belgrade nor Pristina will have much room to resist. They’ll be brought to the table and essentially ‘forced’ to sign. Of course, this would involve compromises from both sides,” Arifi explained.
In their letter, the two Congresswomen emphasized that a peaceful settlement and mutual recognition would lay the foundation for a more stable and peaceful Balkans—a goal long pursued by the transatlantic alliance.
