As Kosovo awaits the certification of the December 28 elections, the country is preparing to form its next government. Vetëvendosje (LVV) secured 57 seats in Parliament, and together with 11 deputies from non-majority communities, it could form a government. Potential coalition arrangements could further strengthen the majority and facilitate the election of a new President.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti has repeatedly emphasized that Kosovo’s relations with the United States remain strong, despite criticism that ties have been strained in the past. He noted that any disagreements with the US have been focused on Serbia-related issues, not bilateral relations with America.
“The United States is our irreplaceable ally and key partner, our special friend,” Kurti said, highlighting that relations span three key dimensions: development, diplomacy, and defense.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act on December 18, 2025, reaffirming that the US will continue supporting a comprehensive, final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, based on mutual recognition and opposing territorial swaps, divisions, or ethnic-based border changes in the Western Balkans. The Act also underscores that peace, stability, and prosperity in the region are directly tied to democratic and economic progress for citizens.
In a message to Kosovo on its 17th independence anniversary, Trump emphasized economic cooperation over the traditional focus on multilateral dialogue or ethnic inclusivity. This approach aligns with the US administration’s broader economic-centered strategy in the Western Balkans, consistent with the Washington Agreement of 2020, which primarily addressed economic agreements between Kosovo and Serbia.
However, the US suspended the Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo on September 12, 2025, raising concerns about potential impacts on bilateral relations. Kosovan officials view this pause as a signal of diplomatic dissatisfaction, highlighting challenges in political cohesion and constitutional functionality.
President Vjosa Osmani assured that Kosovo will fully commit to resuming the Strategic Dialogue, which was initiated in 2021 and reconfirmed in 2022 through official diplomatic channels. She stressed:
“The security of the Republic of Kosovo is strongly tied to US support, and everyone must approach this alliance with maximum seriousness and responsibility.”
The Strategic Dialogue, led by the US Department of State, includes high-level discussions on defense, security, environment, energy, and economic cooperation, and remains a cornerstone of bilateral relations between Kosovo and the United States.
