Elezi: Trump will not reduce military presence in Kosovo, he will increase it

Security expert Bedri Elezi stated that he does not expect the US to leave the KFOR mission and that Donald Trump's new administration will strengthen its military presence to ensure Kosovo's sovereignty under UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"President Trump will not reduce the military presence in Kosovo but will further increase the KFOR contingent to guarantee Kosovo’s sovereignty under Resolution 1244," Elezi told Kosovo Online.

In a "Foreign Policy" analysis it is noted that Kosovo has already prepared for such a scenario by enhancing its level of cooperation with Turkey.

Elezi says that while he respects the opinions of American experts, he considers them inaccurate.

"We have had the opportunity to speak with friends who are part of Trump’s administration, and they have stated that the US is the main guarantor of peace and security in the world and, as such, also guarantees security in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. We appreciate the opinions of American experts who express concerns about a possible US withdrawal from NATO, but based on our communications with US representatives and other allies involved in NATO activities, we do not see any indication that KFOR plans to change its commitments in the region, particularly in Kosovo," Elezi emphasized.

He also expects that KFOR will have serious security responsibilities in the coming period.

"Especially after recent events in Kosovo, the US and its military are strongly committed to ensuring security in the Balkans," Elezi stressed.

He points out visible US efforts to bring Serbia into NATO.

"The US Ambassador in Belgrade, Hill, is making strong efforts for Serbia to become a NATO member, so that the country is no longer under Moscow's influence and its efforts to destabilize the region and Serbia itself," Elezi noted.