Former senior U.S. official Charles Kupchan assesses that the United States Congress is seeking to bring the Western Balkans back into the focus of U.S. foreign policy at a time when the region is facing instability and political deadlock. According to him, the inclusion of Kosovo and Serbia in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act is intended to exert constructive pressure on Pristina and Belgrade to move forward in dialogue and overcome the current stalemate, while also calling for stable governments in both countries.
Speaking to Euronews Albania, Kupchan emphasized that Congress is attempting to encourage President Trump and his administration to engage more actively in the region, at a moment when a serious refocusing of U.S. involvement in Balkan security issues is needed.
“Trump will try to include the normalization of Kosovo–Serbia relations on his list of achievements.
What we are seeing is growing American concern following the U.S. withdrawal from the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, as well as Kosovo’s prolonged absence of a functioning government.
The document urges Prime Minister Kurti, following his election victory, to form a government as quickly as possible.
However, there are concerns regarding Mr. Kurti’s approach,” Kupchan said.
According to him, Kosovo’s presence in this document aims to encourage both Pristina and Belgrade to move forward in bilateral dialogue and overcome the deadlock that has gripped them. Kupchan also noted that the document calls on both countries to establish stable governments.
“In Serbia, we have a destabilized situation; in Kosovo, we have gone for months without a government. Therefore, it is time for both countries to move forward with the difficult work ahead of them.
In Congress, in both chambers, there are many officials who have spent considerable time in the Balkans, which is why we see a draft that has been prepared specifically with the Balkans in mind,” he said.
“Previously, the Trump administration was not as focused on European security as the Biden administration was, and this represents an effort by Congress to push the president and those around him, including Secretary Rubio, to take ownership of this agenda.
Trump himself has made several statements about Kosovo and Serbia, taking credit for preventing a war between them.
Now Congress is calling on President Trump to engage in the Balkans, because we are witnessing a withdrawal and there is a need to refocus once again on Balkan regional issues,” concluded former senior U.S. official Charles Kupchan.
