Former US member of Kosovo status: Harris would make efforts to lower Kosovo, Serbia at a table

He said Kosovo's biggest problem is the dispute with Serbia, which continues not to recognise independence, even nearly 17 years after the proclamation.

I assume the Harris administration would pursue less ambitious goals. It would make efforts to lower Kosovo and Serbia at a table, along with Europeans, but aim at smaller advances in economy, trade, culture, human movements... So in things that start to reduce the temperature between the two countries, Says Wisner.

Wisner does not rule out the possibility of Trump exploring Kosovo's partition as a quick solution to its continuing conflict with Serbia.

“If he sees any agreement with [Serbia's president, Aleksandar] Vuciq, who adapts, will not expect Kosovo to obey. It will be transactional, in search of an agreement, in search of progress, in search of something that makes it look good. Kosovo must be skillful, to make sure it has strong support from Europeans, but its journey may be difficult”Says Wisner.

Wisner recalls that an agreement on exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia, along ethnic lines, was outlined in 2020, during Trump's first presidential mandate.

But, the plan has not gone forward after then Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has been handed over to the Special Court in The Hague as a war crimes suspect.

Wisner argues that American forces fulfill a double role in Kosovo, acting not only as protective, but also as a symbol of US engagement.

It's not good to think that the issues of this nature last forever. But, given the unresolved state of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, I hope American troops will continue to be part of the security regime in which Kosovo” lives.Says Wisner.