NATO’s Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, has dismissed as false recent claims suggesting that the United States is preparing to withdraw its troops from the KFOR mission in Kosovo. Speaking to Kosovo Online, Shekerinska emphasized that NATO remains fully committed to the mission and to regional stability.
“There have been claims that turned out to be untrue. What matters is that the Alliance has shown its commitment — and in fact, more troops have been deployed in recent times,” said Shekerinska. “No one should doubt NATO’s dedication and determination.”
She underlined that the Alliance remains engaged in supporting long-term peace in the Western Balkans and pointed to recent high-level visits to Kosovo as clear evidence of NATO’s active presence. These include visits by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Shekerinska herself, and the North Atlantic Council advisers, all aimed at reaffirming support for political dialogue and regional stability.
Strong NATO Presence in Kosovo
Shekerinska reiterated that NATO continues to back efforts for sustained dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. She said that the role of NATO, and KFOR in particular, is to ensure that any long-term solution must come through political negotiation — not force.
“NATO has been engaged in the region for decades. Because of the importance of dialogue, I’ve met with the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue to explore how NATO and the EU can further coordinate,” she added.
She emphasized that KFOR remains NATO’s largest and longest-standing mission, serving as a stabilizing presence and a firm reminder that political dialogue is the only path to lasting peace and security in the region.
