The Peace Board meeting in Davos, Switzerland, highlighted stark contrasts in how Kosovo and Serbia positioned themselves on the global stage, particularly in relation to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Osmani Elevates Kosovo’s Diplomatic Standing
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani emerged at the heart of international diplomacy, appearing in close proximity to President Trump and formally becoming a founding member of the Peace Board, where she also signed its founding charter.
Her appearance was widely viewed as a high-impact diplomatic moment, positioning Kosovo alongside key strategic allies and reinforcing its role as an active and credible participant in global diplomacy. Osmani’s visibility next to the American president underscored Kosovo’s alignment with Western leadership and international decision-making centers.
Serbia’s Marginal Presence in Davos
In contrast, Serbia appeared on the sidelines of the high-level forum. President Aleksandar Vučić was noticeably absent from the central decision-making stage and did not engage in direct meetings with President Trump or other major global leaders.
Instead, Vučić chose to address his audience through a video recorded from his hotel room, shifting attention away from Davos’ main halls. In the video, he gave viewers a tour of his hotel room, describing its “IKEA-style” design, noting that the bed was too short, and showcasing the sitting area where he claimed to receive guests and hold meetings.
Limited Regional Engagement
Vučić’s engagements were largely confined to regional figures, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflecting what observers described as a peripheral Serbian presence at a forum where global relevance is measured by direct access to centers of power.
The contrasting appearances of Kosovo and Serbia in Davos underscored diverging diplomatic trajectories, with Kosovo gaining visibility at the core of international engagement, while Serbia remained distant from key global actors.
