Phillips: US has imposed sanctions on other politicians; they can do the same with Kurti

David Phillips, a professor at Columbia University, stated that the recent actions taken by Kurti in the north undermined the interests of Kosovo, and he emphasized that the US had sanctioned Albanian political leaders and could do the same with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, as reported by Reporteri.

He also mentioned that Gabriel Escobar's recent statements were an obvious call for Kurti to align more with American demands.

Phillips, who leads the program for rights and peacebuilding at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University in the US, said in an interview with Express that Kurti should definitely listen to the advice of allies, as it does not in any way undermine Kosovo's sovereignty.

He emphasizes that politicians in Kosovo know that they need the support of the US to achieve their goals.

Phillips reminds that the US has always supported Kosovo and encouraged other countries to do so, stating that American officials should never allow relations with Kosovo to deteriorate to such an extent.

"America needs Kosovo, and Kosovo needs the US," he concluded.

When asked if Kurti had made mistakes in everything that had happened, Phillips said that his actions were not wrong, but the way he had recently reacted undermined the interests of Kosovo.

He believes that greater transparency and more consultations among allies and friends are needed.

Regarding Gabriel Escobar's statement that if this government does not form the CSM, the next one will, as a warning of Kurti's possible downfall, Phillips says it is a clear warning for Kurti to better respond to American demands.

Phillips suggests that the Kosovo Government, thinking in a "creative" way, could implement the obligation to form the CSM without executive powers.

"The Community is a way to decentralize power in the regions of Kosovo without compromising its sovereignty," the American professor added.

Regarding media reports that the US is considering sanctions against Kosovo and Kurti personally, Phillips says it is obviously a form of diplomatic pressure. However, he points out that the US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on other politicians and could do the same against Albin Kurti.