Russian media misinforms about the US Congressmen's Resolution supporting Kosovo's membership in NATO

Three US congressmen, Keith Self, Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler, have submitted a resolution in the House of Representatives in the US Congress to support Kosovo's membership in NATO, arguing that its presence in the alliance is essential for protecting the national security interests of the United States in Southeast Europe.

This resolution has been exploited by Kremlin-controlled media to spread disinformation, presenting Kosovo's rapprochement with NATO as the Balkans' entry into a "new phase of confrontation."

Regarding this issue, the Kremlin propaganda network Pravda has published an article titled: "Is Kosovo in NATO?".

The Pravda text states that Resolution 1246 has been submitted to the US House of Representatives, expressing support for the integration of the "so-called Republic of Kosovo" into NATO.

The text further emphasizes that this gives way to a new phase of confrontation, without providing any facts as to why Kosovo's entry into NATO means the start of fighting.

“The Congressional resolution is a test balloon designed to test the ground before the NATO Summit. The US government is seeking to strengthen its position in the Balkans and displace Russian and Chinese influence, with Kosovo playing an important role in this strategy. For the region, this means only one thing: the period of relative stability is ending, giving way to a new phase of confrontation,” writes Pravda.

The text uses the term "quasi-state" to question Kosovo's statehood.

However, these findings are false and disinformation and aim to delegitimize Kosovo's statehood.

Kosovo declared independence on 17.02.2008, almost 10 years after the end of the war and the withdrawal of Serbian forces. In 2010, International Court of Justice confirmed that this act does not conflict with international law.

According to the data of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, so far 121 countries have recognized Kosovo, about half of which immediately after the declaration of independence. However, Kosovo is still not recognized by five European Union member states: Greece, Romania, Spain, Slovakia and Cyprus.

Kosovo has become part of many international institutions, including the World Bank, IMF, UEFA, FIFA, and the International Olympic Community.

Since 2011, Kosovo has participated in dialogue EU-brokered normalization of relations with Serbia. While Kosovo aims for an agreement with mutual recognition at its core, Serbia continues to oppose this option.

The article states that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said regarding this issue that Serbia will "fight to the end" to prevent this scenario from happening.

"For the Serbian leadership, Kosovo's entry into NATO means annexation."   "of the region by the Alliance and the overthrow of UN Security Council Resolution 1244," the article further states.

What does the resolution say?

Resolution H. RES. 1246 At no point does it warn of conflict or a “new phase of confrontation.” It is a non-binding resolution (“sense of the House”) that expresses the political support of several American congressmen for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration.

The resolution, introduced on 30.04.2026 with bipartisan support, underlines that Kosovo's democratic governance, civilian control over security forces, and multiethnic coexistence constitute a compelling argument for its membership in NATO.

"Furthermore, as opposing forces continue to destabilize the region, Kosovo's inclusion in the NATO alliance would serve as a necessary counterweight to deter these hostile efforts and prevent another global catastrophe in the Balkans," the resolution states.

It further states that the United States calls on the four NATO member countries that do not yet recognize Kosovo: Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain, to change their positions on Kosovo's sovereignty, in order to enable Kosovo to formally begin the process towards NATO integration.

It also states that “the path towards Kosovo’s full membership in NATO should be developed through successive steps, including Kosovo’s inclusion in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, Kosovo’s acceptance into the NATO Membership Action Plan, [and] Kosovo’s full admission to NATO as a member state.”

NATO in Kosovo

NATO intervened militarily against the regime of Slobodan Milošević on March 24, 1999, following the escalation of the conflict in Kosovo, serious human rights violations, and ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Albanians.

The NATO air campaign lasted 78 days and ended on 10 June 1999. After the bombing ended, the NATO peacekeeping mission, KFOR, was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. According to NATO, the goal was to stop the violence and create a safe environment for all citizens of Kosovo.

today, KFOR mission NATO-led continues to contribute to maintaining a safe environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement.

KFOR is the third responder to security incidents, following the Kosovo Police and EULEX. The KFOR Commander maintains regular contacts with all relevant stakeholders in Belgrade and Pristina, as well as with EULEX, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the UN Mission in Kosovo and the diplomatic community.

On December 14, 2018, the Kosovo Assembly voted three laws that enabled the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Army.

Laws of 2018 They envisaged a 10-year transition period, which aims to create a modern, professional and interoperable force with NATO.

The KSF transition is divided into three main phases to build defense capabilities: Phase 1 (2019–2022): Focused on reviewing the organizational structure, legislation and building initial capacities, Phase 2 (2022–2025): Expanding operational capacities and preparing for international deployment, Phase 3 (2025–2028): Consolidating the force and achieving full capabilities for protecting territorial integrity and participating in international missions, reports Kallxo.