Milivojevic: Denmark's best argument in defending its territorial integrity would be withdrawing recognition of Kosovo

The world is in the process of transitioning global relations toward a new balance of power and a new definition of the international order, in which certain rules will have to apply, whether they are called international law or something else, retired diplomat Zoran Milivojevic said. He also noted that the case of Denmark and Greenland confirms Serbia’s thesis that Western powers, by recognizing Kosovo, opened Pandora’s box, adding that the best argument in defending Denmark’s territorial integrity would be – the withdrawal of recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

After the events that marked only the first two weeks of 2026, above all the American incursion into Venezuela and US President Donald Trump’s insistence on taking over Greenland, Milivojevic explains that a phase of transition in the world order has already begun. This transition lies between the order defined by the end of World War II, the UN Charter, and respect for international law, and what we are witnessing today, which, he says, began with Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.

“By using force, Russia made it clear that its interest is not NATO’s expansion toward its borders through Ukraine. This is a continuation of that process, and when it comes to the Trump administration, it is about a very clear approach, with America’s goals to return to a leading position on the global stage through the application of a specific methodology that is no longer concealed, but direct. Venezuela showed us this in the most direct way, with an announcement of what we can expect in other areas, including those defined as the West’s sphere of interest. When I say that, I mean Europe,” Milivojevic told Kosovo Online.

In this context, he points to changes in transatlantic relations and a new projection of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, which primarily takes American interests into account, including relations with allies.

“The Greenland issue directly confirms this, both as a thesis and as an intention to implement it. This is an introduction to a new order, a redistribution of power on the global stage in a triangle that is more or less defined by hard power. By that I mean the United States, the Russian Federation, regardless of what anyone thinks, as a nuclear power with the greatest potential, and China,” Milivojevic said.

Within this triangle, he adds, we are all witnessing a redistribution of centers of power or the definition of zones of influence.

“The Americans are in a way the avant-garde in applying a new methodology and returning to the Monroe Doctrine, to areas of direct interest, but with a projection toward other parts of the world, Greenland, the Middle East, and areas where they already have defined goals. From reactions around Venezuela, we see that things are now entering a phase of defining a new balance of power. The Venezuela case did not end with the kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro. We already see reactions from China and Russia, which are discreet but visible. We are precisely on that line, in the process of transitioning global relations toward a new balance of power and a new definition of the international order, where certain rules will have to apply. Whether they are called international law or something else, it will be practice based on behavior and experience in international relations,” Milivojevic explained.

Asked how this transition toward a new balance of power will affect the Kosovo issue, he recalled that Serbia once warned that NATO aggression against Kosovo effectively opened Pandora’s box, and that Denmark’s current struggle to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity best illustrates the new reality regarding respect for the rules and principles of international law.

A return to international law shows that there are no other mechanisms, but new practice also shows that Pandora’s box has been opened, Milivojevic noted.

“Some use force, others use circumstances, a third group uses a factual situation, but everything comes down to the same thing – Pandora’s box is open. That is why this transition period is extremely important and why there is a need to define new rules, but based on a new balance of power. The attempt of two thirds of humanity is to remain aligned with the UN Charter and international law, because no other mechanisms exist. The attempt of one third, led by America, is to implement this in a different way, and that struggle will determine the foundation of the new international order,” Milivojevic said.

He also observes that in the case of Denmark and Greenland, Serbia has confirmation of the thesis that Pandora’s box has been opened, and that Europe has a problem advocating territorial integrity, because this inevitably opens the question of Serbia and the recognition of Kosovo.

“The best argument in defending Denmark’s territorial integrity would be the withdrawal of recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo. I believe Denmark would be far more successful in defending its territorial integrity if it withdrew recognition of Kosovo, because then everyone would lose their argument, unlike the current situation in which it could experience the opposite as its fate,” Milivojevic stressed.

As for possible new recognitions hoped for in Pristina, he says this is objectively in question, because it is now difficult to rely on arguments from Western countries in support of such an approach, given the case of Denmark and even some countries in the Western Hemisphere, where the same issues are reopening.

“It is no coincidence that Spain challenges the new American methodology – it has its own case in mind. It is no coincidence that Cyprus is gaining new arguments in defending its territorial integrity. And in northern Cyprus there are far fewer Greeks than there are Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. Therefore, our arguments are gaining weight and strength in that sense as well, not to mention Resolution 1244, which is valid, binding, and in force,” Milivojevic concluded.