Donfired calls for urgent dialogue: status quo is unsustainable, it benefits the Kremlin

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried said on Monday, April 25, that Kosovo and Serbia should engage in EU-mediated dialogue in Brussels because the status quo is unsustainable.

Donfried added that the best way to counter Russia’s flagrant efforts is for Kosovo and Serbia to urgently re-engage in dialogue.

“The status quo is unsustainable; not only does it hinder Kosovo and Serbia’s European futures, but it benefits the Kremlin. Russia wants to ruin any unity and democratic consolidation in Western Balkans’ countries. The best way to counteract the Kremlin’s flagrant attempts to destabilize the region is simple: Kosovo and Serbia must come together and urgently reengage in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, with robust U.S support.”, Donfried said.

The dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia started in 2011 and no final agreement has been reached yet, for a long-term solution.

US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried will pay a visit to the Western Balkans from April 25th to 29th.

She is accompanied by the US envoy to the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and other US officials.

After Kosovo, she visits Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro.

Last week, a delegation of US senators visited Kosovo: Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Murphy and Thom Tillis.

They have said the United States supports Kosovo’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union.