On Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced new measures aimed at countering Kosovo’s independence. He is no longer content with merely refusing to recognize Kosovo; he now seeks to claim at least part of it. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade continues to express confidence in its efforts to guide Serbia towards the West.
In his latest analysis, American Johns Hopkins professor Daniel Serwer argues that the current policy of coddling Serbia and punishing Kosovo is ineffective. According to Serwer, Washington needs to adjust its Balkans policy in a more coherent direction. He suggests several ways to achieve this:
Washington should support Pristina’s efforts to govern effectively in northern Kosovo and assist in planning future initiatives in that region.
The U.S. should stop coddling Serbia, publicly criticize Vučić’s irredentist and anti-democratic ambitions, and halt the flow of praise and funds to Belgrade.
The U.S. should advocate for the redeployment of EUFOR to Brčko, a northeastern city in Bosnia, to act as a serious deterrent against secessionist moves.
Washington should insist that Bosnia implement European Court of Human Rights decisions to end its ethnic-based policies.
The U.S. should lead efforts to isolate pro-Russian elements in Montenegro from sensitive NATO information.
It should also warn North Macedonia that it could be next if pro-Russian elements remain in power there.
Serwer acknowledges that while Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s methods of asserting sovereignty in northern Kosovo are concerning to the West, Kurti is firmly aligned with Western interests.
“Kosovo, which has seen several changes in leadership, now has a popular Prime Minister who asserts sovereign control in the predominantly Serbian northern region in ways that worry Americans and Europeans. They expect him to consult and seek approval for any actions that might disturb either Kosovo Serbs or Belgrade. He has been unwilling to do so. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Kurti is unequivocally aligned with the West. He has no alternative.”
