USA demands the unconditional release of three members of the Kosovo police

The United States of America on Thursday demanded the unconditional release of three members of the Kosovo Police abducted by Serbian forces. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expressed this position at the daily press briefing.

“We believe that both Kosovo and Serbia should take steps to de-escalate the situation. This includes the unconditional release of the three Kosovar police officers recently detained,” he said.

Miller also said that “both sides must follow the three-point plan presented by the EU.”

“In doing so, Prime Minister Kurti must guarantee that the elected presidents perform their duties from an alternative location and withdraw the police,” Miller said.

Spokesman Miller said, “The USA condemns the unacceptable violence against KFOR troops, members of law enforcement and journalists.” We continue to work directly with both sides and partners in the region.”

He said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Counselor Derek Chollet and other Department of State officials are working with partners in the region on the issue.

A State Department spokesman would not say whether the USA is preparing retaliatory measures or sanctions.

“I don’t want to talk about possible measures at this time,” he said. “Our focus is on making clear to the parties our expectations that both parties take action to reduce tensions and follow the three-point plan presented by the EU,” he said.

On June 14, three police officers were kidnapped by Serbian authorities on the territory of Kosovo near the border line.

Meanwhile, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell had earlier said he would invite Kosovo and Serbia to a meeting in Brussels next week to discuss how to deal with the crisis.

The night before, he said in a letter to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that a new round of talks could not be organized until Kosovo took steps to de-escalate the situation./Telegrafi/