Vujinovic: I believe the signing of the Kosovo-US Defense Cooperation Agreement will be delayed

The Government of Kosovo has approved the initiative to conclude a Framework Agreement on Defense Cooperation between Kosovo and the United States. Security studies researcher Nikola Vujinovic tells Kosovo Online that such documents are overarching and regulate security and defense cooperation, ranging from joint exercises and arms trade to personnel development, regional initiatives, and NATO membership.

Vujinovic points out that this is merely an initiative to start negotiations for an agreement and believes that the administration of President Donald Trump is currently not paying much attention to it.

“The signing of the agreement will likely be delayed for a long period and probably will not be signed with Albin Kurti’s government. If the new government in Kosovo again includes Kurti as prime minister, I do not expect the document to be signed with that government,” Vujinovic stated.

Although he acknowledges that such agreements are common and that Serbia has confirmed many similar ones with various countries, Vujinovic considers that a Kosovo-US agreement would be a significant blow to Serbia’s security. He also notes that the initiation of the agreement can be interpreted both from a security and a political perspective.

“From a security standpoint, this is something the US routinely does with Kosovo and Metohija – or the Republic of Kosovo, as they recognize it. Under this umbrella, they have provided Javelins and Humvees. Everything falls under this agreement, even though it has not yet been signed. Once it is, all such activities will be conducted under its framework. From a political perspective, the fact that the initiative was approved by a caretaker government raises alarms, as a caretaker government should not be making initiatives of this type. This appears to be a political maneuver by Albin Kurti, though I am not certain it will be implemented anytime soon, simply because the Trump administration does not look favorably upon the Self-Determination Movement and Albin Kurti. It is possible that the US will use this agreement to exert some level of control over them,” Vujinovic assessed.

If the agreement is signed in the manner announced by Kosovo’s Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci, Vujinovic believes it would represent a significant blow to Serbia’s security, considering the complex relations Serbia has with the US, not just regarding Kosovo but also concerning Russia, Ukraine, and the NIS company.

“There are three key concerns for Serbia. First is air defense as a technical aspect. Second is additional training and strategic sustainability, as described by Kosovo’s Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci, which means that they anticipate continuous US support for all their activities – whether it is an incursion into northern Kosovo or a crackdown on so-called Serbian terrorist organizations. The third, and no less important, is the path to NATO membership. This presents a major problem for Serbia, as it does not wish to join NATO. We are a neutral country and do not recognize that territory as an independent state. This creates a situation that Serbia’s political elites have been trying to avoid for 20 years – coming into direct confrontation with the US,” he stated.

He reminds that the establishment of Kosovo Albanian air defense is not permitted under international law and that the Kosovo Security Force is not supposed to exist according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

“If this agreement is truly signed as described, it would mean that Kosovo’s air defense could shoot down planes taking off from Batajnica (Serbia’s air base). This is something Serbia cannot accept from a security perspective. It would then raise serious questions for our security forces and political leadership as to why such a thing was allowed. Serbia has good relations with the US, with President Trump and his administration. We want to work together to ensure peace and security in the region, yet at the same time, this agreement is being made, significantly affecting our security,” Vujinovic warned.