Kosovo’s PM Albin Kurti Losing US Support For Fanning Ethnic Tensions With Serbs

Good evening!

This week has been eventful at the State Department. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti finds himself losing international support he once enjoyed, due to his inflammatory actions exacerbating ethnic tensions with the Serbs.

Let’s rewind.

INSIDER ACCOUNT

As the week unfolded, tensions around Kosovo’s decision to suspend Serbian dinar and negatively impact over 100,000 of people simmered at the State Department. On Wednesday, the Biden administration found itself grappling with the fallout of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s brazen defiance against the advice of EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak, who urged him to postpone the decision to suspend the use of Serbian dinar and other foreign currencies in Kosovo.

In Washington, support for Kurti was dwindling by the minute.

The following day, The Pavlovic Today made headlines by breaking the story of the US stance on the matter. Expressing “deep” disappointment and firm opposition to Albin Kurti’s actions, the US demanded an “immediate” suspension of the decision.

“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,” State Department spokesperson told The Pavlovic Today.

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.

The US condemnation of Kosovo government actions was not only big, but also historic news. It signaled a departure from the established practice of bothsidesism, even if only momentarily.

Albin Kurti, however, appeared unfazed. He doubled down by dispatching Kosovo Police to confiscate Serbian Dinar and intercept the vehicle tasked with distributing social benefits from Serbia.

But Kurti’s actions didn’t end there. Kosovo Police intensified their actions against Belgrade-administered offices in municipalities like Dragas, Pec, Istok, and Klina, while also targeting the Center for Peace and Tolerance in Pristina. Reports detailing health facility closures and restricted access for those in need sparked alarm from Brussels to Washington and beyond.

“Unilateral measures only add fuel to the fire and are exactly the opposite of reducing tensions,” German Ambassador in Kosovo said aligning with the growing international apprehension.

Former Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo, Richard Grenell stated that Kurti is “putting American lives at risk” with his latest actions. “He must stop his belligerence – or the American troops [ in NATO’s KFOR] should be pulled home for safety concerns,” he told The Pavlovic Today.

As the week drew to a close, Albin Kurti found himself increasingly isolated on the global stage, with even his staunchest supporters questioning his actions.

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, declared that Serbia would initiate the procedure for convening an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. He emphasized that the situation has reached a critical juncture due to the violence perpetrated against Serbs in Kosovo by Albin Kurti’s forces.

Looming over the horizon lies a pressing question: Can the US rein in Kurti’s reckless actions as tensions continue to simmer?

We are yet to find out. We will be bringing you the news directly from the front lines of the State Department, straight from the source

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