Montgomery: The West encourages Kurti to resolve the Kosovo issue

In Western circles, there is significant support for Albin Kurti, and the result is that he does not give up his aggressive stance, says former US ambassador William Montgomery, commenting on the persistent refusal of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to implement the Brussels Agreement, as well as the suggestions of the international community regarding the crisis in the north of Kosovo, RTV reports.

"Nothing good can come out of that. In their efforts to 'solve' the Kosovo crisis, it could make it much worse," Montgomery states.

When asked if he sees a compromise solution for the situation in Kosovo, Montgomery says that Serbia is alone in this.

"I will be honest. Serbia is alone. None of the leading countries involved, including the USA, Germany, France, and Great Britain, want as a final solution anything other than Serbia recognizing the independence of Kosovo within its current borders. The differences between the Western countries are simply about how to achieve it. No one wants violence and, consequently, some argue that by encouraging Kurti to give Serbia more time on the issue of license plates or to show more flexibility on the implementation of the Brussels agreement," Montgomery says.

He adds that no Western government is thinking about steps that would give Serbia any space.

And when asked what Serbia could do at that moment to protect its interests, Montgomery reminded that there had been a moment a few years ago when Vucic and Thaci were thinking about an arrangement that would bring suffering but would be achievable (division).

"That possible solution was vetoed by Angela Merkel. And in fact, Thaci would face extreme difficulties from Kosovo political parties to conclude this agreement, especially since Kurti's approach is strongly encouraged by foreign policy groups in many Western countries, including the US." Montgomery concluded.