Kupchan: United US frustration with Kurt led to the suspension of Dialogue

This is a serious issue, because the region needs more commitment from the US, not for less”, says Kupchan.

He adds that the move aims to exert pressure on Kosovo's leaders, especially on Kurtin ʹ, to act constructively, form a government and resume in dialogue with Serbia.

Kupchan also emphasises the importance of compromise and confident negotiations among all political parties in Kosovo, to restore stability and move forward.

“... this shows Washington is following events and will do what it deems necessary to prevent instability before it happens, says Kupchan.

I think this is a serious issue because the region needs more commitment from the US, not less. Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has not advanced for a long time. With the administration's change in Washington, there was hope that President [Donald] Trump ʹ just as during his first mandate, '% could be re-imparted in the Strategic Dialogue with Kosovo, in an effort to mediate the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. And now, we have an announcement from the [American] Embassy in Pristina, which basically says we're withdrawing, suspending Strategic Dialogue. In many ways, this is a sign of dissatisfaction with the Government in Kosovo, which has practically been in office since elections earlier this year. But also, it is the result of a amassed frustration -- it has taken several months to elect the Kosovo Parliament Speaker, now Kurti insults the Constitutional Court. Before the elections, Kurti has made decisions on a wide range of issues from the Serbian dinar ban to the installation of Albanian mayors in the north or the failure to advance the Association of Serb-run municipalities. There is a widespread perception here in Washington and Europe that the Government in Kosovo is not helping improve the situation. So I think suspending the Strategic Dialogue is a sign of discontent and frustration”, Kupchman told Radio Free Europe.