Milivojevic: Kurti’s policy contrary to U.S. strategy—He can expect similar treatment as during Trump’s first term

Former diplomat Zoran Milivojevic stated that the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating his intent to reengage in the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, confirm three key points: that Trump still considers Serbia and the Serbian people, that the Kosovo issue remains on his radar, and that the Washington Agreement and the previous approach are still close to his political thinking. Speaking to Kosovo Online, Milivojevic noted that Trump is likely to rely again on the same methodology previously applied—seeking solutions through peaceful and political means using pragmatic tools, primarily economic cooperation.

Milivojevic warned against making premature judgments regarding Trump, emphasizing that the former president has proven to be unpredictable.

“That’s the essence of the Washington Agreement, and it’s clear he still sees it as a model for resolving crises. Trump believes that this model is valid and applicable because it usually leads to compromise and respects the actual situation on the ground. His policy is grounded in realpolitik and acknowledgment of current realities and objective circumstances that must be considered when searching for a solution,” Milivojevic said.

One of those current realities, he stressed, is the latest wave of arrests and expulsions of Serbian police officers by the authorities in Pristina, which he described as a new form of ethnic cleansing.

“You see, arresting these people, expelling them, banning their entry for five years, and separating them from their families—this is effectively forcing them to reunite with their families by relocating entirely. It’s a very insidious, even brutal, form of ethnic cleansing and the expulsion of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija. It is part of Kurti’s longstanding policy—removing both Serbia and the Serbian people from Kosovo and Metohija. And as has often been the case, there’s little more than verbal condemnation—no concrete measures. That’s the first point. The second is that if the Americans do get involved again, and if Trump decides to turn his attention to the Kosovo issue, then we should expect them to treat Kurti the same way they did during Trump’s first term,” Milivojevic pointed out.

He added that Kurti’s current policy does not align with either the interests or the political strategy the U.S. might pursue in Kosovo.

“At this moment, I believe the U.S. and Mr. Trump are primarily focused on the Middle East and Ukraine, but this latest reaction shows that he has not forgotten about Kosovo. Especially considering that he is appointing people of Serbian origin to key posts in Belgrade and Sarajevo, it shows that he is taking the Serbian presence in the region seriously, that he wants to strengthen U.S.-Serbia relations, and that he recognizes Serbia as a key factor in this part of the world,” the diplomat concluded.