The debate over whether to open the bridge is marked by tension, discussions, phone calls, meetings, reprimands, threats, and news reports. While the prospect of World War III has not been suggested, the bridge remains closed. It’s notable that Stano has not yet made such extreme claims.
If asked, Lukashenko and Kim Jong-un might respond like Lajčak, Borrell, and Stano: the bridge will only open when Vučić says so.
The US is preoccupied with the Israel-Palestine-Iran conflict and is not focusing on the bridge’s fate. They merely echo Stano’s position through their ambassador in Kosovo.
The absurdity of the situation is that while Ukraine is actively fighting Russia, the West is threatening Kosovo and hesitating to open a bridge. The hesitation comes from Vučić, Dačić, Vulin, Dodik, and Grenell.
Perhaps the concern is that Kosovo might be inspired to start an offensive against Serbia, influenced by Ukraine’s actions against Russia. This might be a strong reason, as the West was surprised by Ukraine’s actions.
If this scenario were to occur, NATO and the Quint ambassadors, as well as EU officials, would face tough decisions. Supporting Kosovo might affect lithium investments, while supporting Serbia could require returning Kosovo. The fate of investments by Jared Kushner in Serbia and Sazan, and the Ujman agreement, is also at stake. Future conflicts might center around water resources, making control of Trepča in Kosovo and lithium in Serbia crucial.
Trump and Grenell need to address these questions. Additionally, it will be critical to decide Kosovo’s fate: whether it will be divided between Vučić and Rama, with or without Thaçi.
For an ineffective administration, these issues are challenging. However, if Trump has a plan to end the war in Ukraine within a week, he should also have a plan for Kosovo.
The situation would be even more complicated if Harris were elected. She might not even be familiar with Kosovo’s location. The greater challenge would be discussing the bridge’s opening. Who would explain its significance and the implications of opening or not opening it? Kosovo stands at a crossroads, and the bridge remains a global issue.
