Pata: Kosovo is a practical, not political location for the largest U.S. and NATO military exercise in Europe

Political analyst and editor of the daily Tema from Tirana, Ilir Pata, stated that Kosovo is a “practical rather than political location” for the largest U.S. military exercise on European soil.

The U.S. and NATO are conducting the second phase of the Defender Europe 2025 military exercise in the Western Balkans from today until May 9.

One of the exercise locations will be the Djakovica airport, and Pata explained that this choice is based on practical reasons.

“Kosovo is more of a practical than a political location. This is because an important American base, Bondsteel, is located in Urosevac, which can serve as a logistical and operational center for the forces participating in these military exercises, as it makes coordination much easier,” Pata told Kosovo Online.

Previously, acting Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci stated that Kosovo would play an important role in the exercise not only as one of the hosts but also as the center of U.S. military command for the Western Balkans.

Pata considers this to be a political statement.

“Minister Maqedonci’s statement is undoubtedly political, and he is aiming to gain political advantage. Defender Europe can now be considered routine, organized for the past five or six years by NATO’s southern command, which covers North Africa, Italy, and the Western Balkans,” Pata explained.

He added that Albania hosted the exercise two years ago, but that these maneuvers were “overhyped” both in Tirana and now in Pristina.

“I think Defender Europe is overrated, both by official Tirana when it was organized in Albania during elections, and by Kosovo now. Kosovo has KFOR, and NATO is already present within Kosovo. Politically, Kosovo is a separate issue, and I believe there will be a certain decline in U.S. interest in the Western Balkans in the coming months,” Pata said.

When asked how the exercise should be interpreted, Pata said it is part of NATO members’ “routine cooperation.”

However, he warned that a recent military agreement signed by Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo goes beyond this routine.

According to his sources, the agreement was not initiated by Zagreb, but by Tirana.

“The agreement between Croatia, Kosovo, and Albania on military cooperation is beyond routine. This is a political and geopolitical agreement aimed at countering Serbia’s military power. From what I’ve learned, the initiator of this agreement was not Croatia but official Tirana. This is because Edi Rama has long-standing relations and advisors from the time of former Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, even before Rama became prime minister or president. Rama had this political advisor during his first term in government and maintains good relations with him. They discussed this agreement, and it was later approved by the Croatian government,” Pata revealed.

He added that one should not look for hidden messages in such military exercises — because there are none.

“The Americans have made it clear — not only Vice President Vance but also Trump — that they have no intention of waging war in Europe. The U.S. will, of course, respond through its structures if attacked,” Pata said.

He concluded that already in June, Europeans will face a new “provocation” from U.S. President Donald Trump in the form of demands to increase defense spending.

“It is no coincidence that the German government, the British government, and others — despite having normal relations with Trump — are considering increasing their military spending, because the U.S. no longer intends to be engaged in Europe’s wars and problems,” Pata concluded.