Hill: The Serbian community in Kosovo has been living there for centuries; they have the right to know what their future will be like

The formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities is a legal obligation of Pristina and it must be done, US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill stated in an interview for TV Pink.

He understands why Belgrade does not impose sanctions on Moscow, but says that it is up to Serbia to decide whether to do so or not.

How would you assess the current diplomatic initiative and the reality of the formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, taking into account the constant refusal of Albin Kurti to do so?

First of all, this is a painfully difficult question that has been around for several years. We very much welcome the initiative launched by the Europeans in the so-called Franco-German plan. We see that as the basis of an eventual agreement that is based on a lot of give and take and it will not be easy for anyone. I have to say that the Serbian side, as it did before, came prepared and constructive, and I hope that everyone can be like that. This must be done based on the framework plan proposed by the Europeans, and work on it must then continue. I am very satisfied with how the Serbian side is dealing with it. However, I am not in a position to comment on how it is being resolved in Pristina except to say that I believe it is the right way to solve the problem and to add once again that I am very satisfied with how constructive the Serbian side is in all this.

In the joint statement of the two high-ranking American diplomats who were recently in Belgrade, Derek Chollet and Gabriel Escobar, it is stated that the fulfillment of Kosovo's obligation to form the CSM does not undermine the regulations by which Pristina operates. Are we now finally closer to the formation of that community?

I think that the USA was very clear on several occasions, and Mr. Escobar was also very clear that we support and believe that the CSM formation must happen. It was not only in the Brussels Agreement, we also have it in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Brussels. It is a legal obligation. For those who were involved in the Brussels agreements, primarily Belgrade and Pristina, it is a legal obligation that they must obey. It has to happen. The statement you saw does not only express the views of Chollet and Escobar, but it represents the American policy that it must be done. Obviously, we have work to do. That is the part that only applies to the Kosovo public, but anyone who reads it can clearly see that the US supports this and that it has to be done.

Many here in Serbia do not believe that Albin Kurti will do anything to protect the Serbian minority not only in the north of Kosovo but also anywhere in Kosovo. Maybe the Biden administration should do something about it to put more pressure on him?

I know they are trying hard to make everyone understand that this is the future. The Serbian community in Kosovo has been living there for centuries, centuries, and they have the right to know what their future will be like. I think that the CSM is the right way to proceed and all those involved, we are, as well as the Europeans, have to ensure that these eventual agreements are properly implemented. I don't want to talk about guarantees at this moment, but I really believe in them because America has brought its reputation here as well as the Europeans. We cooperate very closely with Europe, we have no better ally in the whole world than them. I believe that once an agreement is reached, it will be properly implemented.

We all hear the term normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. In the diplomatic dictionary, what exactly does normalization mean? Does the dialogue help in this and can it solve the fundamental problems between Belgrade and Pristina, or are we talking about another series of negotiations and agreements?

I think in the end we are all talking about a step-by-step process. All those who have learned to walk know that they first had to learn to crawl. We are talking about a process where we have to reduce tensions. There are so many tensions surrounding all issues, and that certainly does not help either Serbia or Kosovo. I think that these tensions should be reduced and some process of normality should be created. When people go to the border crossing, they do not get a surprise that they cannot pass as they should. Normalization means to achieve a normal situation. To look a little further, we know what those eventual hopes are to achieve a lot of normalization of relations, but for now, it's more of a step-by-step process. There were too many tensions, too many crises, and I think it's important to understand that we have to solve all the things, and some of those things we should have solved much earlier, including the CSM. We want to return people to institutions, Serbs to return to institutions, to achieve some level of normality so that they can continue with hope and faith in the future.

Let's move on to a topic that has been preoccupying the world, and that is the war between Russia and Ukraine. The US decided to send its main battle tank, Germany as well. Are we now talking about an intensification of war that would lead to more destruction and death? Will it change the situation on the battlefield and where does it end?

This war was started by Russia, which attacked its neighbor. They started it and they can finish it today if they want to. We would of course like to see an end to this war, but we have also been very clear that we will give the Ukrainians everything they need to defend themselves. I know that Russia argues that others are doing it for them. No, it is the Ukrainian people who are fighting and many of them are dying every day for the freedom and independence of their country. Whatever they need, we will evaluate it and see if we can help them. Our conclusion is that tanks including the extremely capable German Leopard 2 tanks and American Abrams tanks and British Challenger tanks are exactly what they need on the battlefield. War is a terrible thing, I've seen it up close. There is nothing good in it. They would like to see its end, but that does not mean that we will stop helping our Ukrainian friends. People ask us how long we will be doing it, and the answer is as long as it takes.