The United States is “deeply disappointed and opposed” to Kosovo’s current plans to proceed with the implementation of the decision to restrict the importation of foreign currencies, including the Serbian dinar, the State Department spokesperson told The Pavlovic Today on Thursday.

“We call again for the enforcement of this decision to be immediately postponed until satisfactory procedures in line with European standards are in place, and the population has been sufficiently educated on how the transition will proceed,” the spokesperson emphasized in a strong message to the Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti who previously said that this matter for him is “non-negotiable.”

The spokesperson criticized the Kosovo governmnet decision, stating it was announced “without adequate preparation or consultation” with the United States and the EU.

The spokesperson revealed that the US government has asked Kosovo authorities to explain what “immediate problem this regulation is intended to solve” and whether urgency is needed. “We have heard no adequate response,” the spokesperson told The Pavlovic Today.

Turning attention to the negative impact Kosovo government decision to restrict the Serbian dinar and other important foreign currencies on the Serbian population and other ethnic groups in Kosovo, the spokesperson stated, “Many Kosovan citizens now do not know how they will pay their bills or receive their pensions. This action is also inconsistent with Kosovo’s commitment to work through the EU-facilitated Dialogue to address issues that affect the welfare of the Serb minority community,” said the spokesperson.

“Good governance and good international partnership demand taking the time to assess consequences, hear perspectives, and consult with others on a workable solution.  The consequence of this and similar unilateral actions limits the options of the United States as an advocate for Kosovo in the international arena,” State Department spokesperson concluded.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken (Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Earlier this week, The Pavlovic Today has obtained a diplomatic memo authored by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija detailing the far-reaching ramifications of the suspension of the Serbian dinar on the Serbian population in Kosovo. The memo emphasizes the precarious situation confronting vital institutions such as schools, kindergartens, and hospitals. These institutions would be incapacitated in meeting their financial obligations, including salary disbursements, procurement of essentials, and operational expenses.

Worries regarding the unilateral actions taken by the Kosovo Prime Minister are progressively garnering bipartisan support among American leaders.

A former Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell has raised concerns in a statement to The Pavlovic Today regarding the “erratic behavior” exhibited by Kosovo’s Prime Minister, warning that his refusal to cooperate with the international community “endangers American lives” of soldiers deployed on missions in Kosovo.

A NATO official confirmed to The Pavlovic Today that there are 4,487 troops in KFOR belonging to 27 nations. According to the placement sheet, there are 593 US soldiers in Kosovo. 

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Ksenija Pavlovic is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Pavlovic Today, The Chief White House Correspondent. Pavlovic was a Teaching Fellow and Doctoral Fellow in the Political Science department at...

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