Velebit: The new US administration will not tolerate unilateral moves by Pristina

The executive director of the Pupin Initiative, Vuk Velebit, tells Kosovo Online that he expects the pressure on Pristina’s administration from America will significantly increase after the newly elected US President Donald Trump officially takes office, especially regarding the dialogue with Belgrade. He believes unilateral moves, as seen previously, will not be tolerated.

"Given that Trump and those in his closest circle were highly engaged in the dialogue during his first term, I expect that this involvement will continue in the second term, with a ‘footnote’ acknowledging that circumstances have changed both globally and in Europe. With the ongoing war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East, it remains to be seen whether the Balkans will be among Trump’s priority issues," Velebit stated.

Nevertheless, he adds that Richard Grenell, who previously served as the Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, is expected to play a significant role in the US administration, possibly as Secretary of State or National Security Advisor, which are two very important roles. Velebit believes that Grenell will be able to influence the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue from such a position.

“He is a welcome guest in Belgrade, and I believe he will have greater sensitivity to the concerns of the Serbian community in Kosovo. More importantly, the US will likely shift from making statements to taking more concrete actions, including sanctions against the harmful and, I would say, anti-American and anti-Western policies of Albin Kurti. Therefore, I expect the pressure on Pristina’s administration to be much greater, and that unilateral moves, as seen previously, will no longer be tolerated,” Velebit emphasized.

According to Velebit, the economy will also be a primary focus, as it was during Trump’s first term and Grenell’s previous involvement in the dialogue.

“We have seen reports in both American and local media about projects planned in Belgrade and on the Albanian coast. I expect that in the context of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, economic issues will be a priority. We will see how the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will progress in the coming period to benefit Belgrade. I think Serbia has an opportunity to position itself as a credible and important American partner in the region, and Trump’s upcoming presidency could strengthen the relationship between Serbia and the US, restoring the alliance that has existed throughout much of our diplomatic history,” Velebit concluded.