Miskeljin: Trump wants as many diplomatic wins as possible; offer for Kosovo could be an ultimatum

Marko Miskeljin, an associate at the Center for Social Stability, stated that if the US becomes involved in negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, Donald Trump's first offer could be some form of ultimatum – presenting both sides with a fait accompli – due to his desire to "check off" as many diplomatic victories as possible.

"At some point, talks will happen, and that first offer will be exactly that. Because that’s how Donald Trump negotiates. It is very important to respond to such offers and the style of negotiations diplomatically and calmly, unlike what we saw in the Oval Office a few days ago. Learning from that experience, we should keep in mind that this is primarily a negotiation tactic from Donald Trump, who, especially in his second term, will care more about his legacy than he did in the first. It is important for him to present himself as a peacemaker in as many places as possible," Miskeljin told Kosovo Online.

He emphasized that if there is a willingness for a pragmatic solution and shared interests, Trump’s offer should not be interpreted as an ultimatum but rather as "the next offer in the negotiations."

"If at any point his side senses that one party or the other is unwilling to negotiate, that is when an ultimatum might come, one after which there will be no further offers. I fear that Zelensky has already experienced this firsthand," Miskeljin noted.

For this reason, he stressed, it is crucial in these negotiations to avoid taking rigid positions.

"Serbia’s leadership must continue what it has been doing so far – maintaining a calm and wise approach toward the US. This should be the path forward, as this is simply how this new administration operates," Miskeljin explained.

He added that much will depend on who forms the next government in Pristina.

"We have seen from Kurti and his administration – both the current and the previous one – an approach that is not typical for the Albanian side: a rather strong stance against one segment of the American political spectrum that is now in power. However, they were wise enough not to handle it the way Volodymyr Zelensky did," the analyst said.

Miskeljin is convinced that the Washington Agreement would play a role in these negotiations.

"The Trump administration would certainly utilize the Washington Agreement because, at the end of the day, they see it as another diplomatic victory. It was signed right before the election, and certain aspects of it – especially those related to the economy – were highlighted as significant achievements by both Donald Trump and other officials," Miskeljin pointed out.

He concludes that Trump would likely rely on trusted individuals familiar with the issue, citing Jovan John Jovanovich, who previously headed the American National Agency in Belgrade and is now the director of the US Export-Import Bank, as well as former envoy Richard Grenell, who now serves as a special envoy for specific missions.