A U.S.-Kosovo security agreement would be a win-win for both countries, aligning perfectly with Donald Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy.
The U.S. and Kosovo should sign a bilateral security agreement to strengthen their current security cooperation—not just as a symbol of friendship, but as part of a broader strategy to expand their bilateral relations, elevate Kosovo’s statehood, and enhance American leadership in the Western Balkans. This move is perfectly suited to Trump’s policy approach.
The U.S. has shown its commitment to Kosovo’s defense, most recently through Congress-approved military training under the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act and the approval of Kosovo’s purchase of 246 anti-tank “Javelin” missiles, worth $75 million, aimed at strengthening deterrence.
A bilateral security agreement would build a security supply chain that guarantees Kosovo’s access to U.S. assets, while also bolstering American leadership in the region. It would aid Kosovo’s path toward NATO membership, the world’s leading security alliance.
The continued development of Kosovo’s Security Force through regular consultations, joint maneuvers, crisis responses, and international peacekeeping missions would align Kosovo with NATO’s operational standards.
Moreover, increasing U.S. support through NATO’s Liaison and Advisory Team would assist Kosovo with training in logistics, procurement, and leadership. Formalizing a security partnership between the U.S. and Kosovo, according to NATO guidelines, would strengthen regional stability and counteract Russia’s malign operations in the region.
Kosovo should also receive training and support in cybersecurity, particularly in threat intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, and technology sharing.
This bilateral agreement should focus on enhancing personnel skills, improving governance frameworks, improving incident response, and meeting NATO standards. While Kosovo qualifies for cybersecurity cooperation and training under the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act of 2024, an official bilateral security agreement would ensure long-term support.
However, Kosovo must update its Cybersecurity Strategy and position its Cybersecurity Agency to counter malicious operations and cyberattacks. Kosovo’s State Cybersecurity Training Center must collaborate with academic institutions to develop a pool of cybersecurity professionals for the public sector. Kosovo should also gain access to information-sharing platforms and expand collaboration within regional exchanges like the Security Cooperation Forum of the Regional Cooperation Council.
Opportunities and Risks
A bilateral agreement would build upon existing agreements between the U.S. and other partners. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. signed security agreements with NATO allies Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, and a mandatory decade-long agreement with Ukraine.
Based on the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, the U.S. and the Philippines signed a General Military Agreement in November 2024 to expand intelligence sharing and defense technology as a countermeasure to China’s aggression.
Such agreements reflect U.S. preferences for bilateral cooperation with partners and allies. A U.S.-Kosovo security agreement would signal America’s commitment to bilateral cooperation with Kosovo, a pro-American partner.
However, Kosovo must also do its part by doubling its diplomatic efforts to persuade NATO member states and the five EU countries that have not recognized its independence to change course and recognize Kosovo’s statehood.
While the U.S. is committed to elevating Kosovo’s sovereignty against ongoing delegitimization efforts, a bilateral security agreement would formalize that commitment, making Kosovo responsible for providing security as well.
In the absence of such an agreement, adversaries will exploit the situation. Russia has long employed a hybrid warfare strategy, combining cultural narratives, disinformation, lies, and cyberattacks. The Kremlin will continue to undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty, heighten ethnic tensions in Serb-majority regions, and disrupt Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
It is also crucial for the U.S. to re-strengthen regional partnerships, especially given China’s strategic investments in economy and infrastructure that could, if unnoticed, serve as an alternative for both the U.S. and the EU. The complexities of Kosovo’s recognition, intertwined with geopolitical contests, suggest that opening a new pathway is long overdue.
Direct Engagement with the Trump Administration
Trump’s election in 2024 will shift U.S. foreign policy discourse towards his preference for bilateral agreements rather than multilateral ones. However, the challenges posed by the rising axis of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea mean that the U.S. will need allies in contested geopolitical regions like the Western Balkans.
If we take Trump’s first administration as a guide, his second will likely follow an interactive foreign policy approach. A U.S.-Kosovo bilateral agreement fits perfectly with this strategy.
Trump’s first administration’s efforts to facilitate economic normalization through the 2020 Washington Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia signaled American leadership and paved the way forward.
The agreement included 16 economic points, brought Israeli diplomatic recognition of Kosovo, imposed a one-year moratorium on Kosovo’s approach to international organizations, and called on both countries to localize the still-missing individuals from the 1999 war.
Although the Washington Agreement faced obstacles due to weak implementation, Trump’s second administration may take similar steps as a pretext for normalization.
With continued support for Kosovo’s governance institutions and political reforms, the U.S. can help Kosovo serve as a force for democracy and political stability, essential for developing a security impact.
This would encourage new American investments in Kosovo’s defense sector and critical infrastructure, boost purchases of American defense equipment and technologies, and support joint military maneuvers.
Trump’s second administration should also involve other regional allies, particularly Albania and the UK, to strengthen stability and support a united front against shared threats.
Direct U.S. engagement and collaboration with regional allies and partners could help restart processes that stagnated under the Biden administration.
Throughout 2024, Trump campaigned for a foreign policy based on “Peace Through Strength,” a phrase used by the Republican Party platforms and popularized by former President Ronald Reagan, who borrowed it from Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Focusing on deterrence, Trump’s preference for bilateral initiatives serves the U.S. security interests and Kosovo’s position as the most pro-American state in the world. An independent, sovereign, secure, and stable Kosovo would guarantee its position as a security provider and strengthen its case for NATO membership.
The need for a pragmatic approach to the ongoing Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is consistent with Trump’s foreign policy goal of tangible security benefits over endless, idealistic talks exploited by Russia.
An official security agreement between Kosovo and the U.S. would bring stability to the Western Balkans, promoting democracy, development, security sector reform, and security cooperation. It would also serve as a powerful countermeasure against hostile forces threatening the region and impeding the U.S.
Trump’s second administration is poised to finalize bilateral security agreements, using existing frameworks and expanding defense and security cooperation. Now is the moment for decisive action.
Strengthening the U.S.-Kosovo partnership is not just an option; it is an imperative for U.S. national security interests and for ensuring Kosovo’s rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic order.
The article was originally published in Balkan Insight.
