Kurti tries to ease the situation: Our differences with Washington are tactical

Kurti reported on Facebook that in New York, he participated in a discussion on the subject “Kosovo's growing partnership with the United States in defence and development “, where the “insights with Washington could be born on tactical issues”.

“in this context, Kosovo is a first safeguard line against malicious influence. Our institutions are strong, transparent and closely linked to Western partners. With Camp Bondsteel, KFOR's continued presence and our growing bilateral co-operation with the United States, Kosovo is a stabilising force in Southeast Europe. For these reasons, we cannot be passive. Our meeting with the United States and NATO is principled and pragmatic.

We impose sanctions when necessary, support Ukraine, strengthen our defence, and build sustainable development”, Kurti wrote among other things.
Full speech:

Thank you for the opportunity to be here and engage in this important discussion on the developing strategic partnership between Kosovo and the United States. In my speech I will focus on two key areas: defence co-operation and developing cooperation. But before we go to current politics, it's important to remember the foundations of our harmonisation and line.
In 1999, NATO launched Operation Allied Force to prevent mass atrocities and genocide committed by the Milosevic regime in Kosovo. During the 78 days, NATO carried out more than 38,000 air missions, forcing the withdrawal of Serbian forces and creating conditions for international administration and Kosovo's democratic transition. For our people, this was liberation the decisive moment of opening the way to freedom. NATO is part of Kosovo's political DNA. Those atrocities were evident to the world. Images of massacres, burned villages and mass deportations could not be denied. Nearly a million Albanians were expelled from Kosovo and brutality was broadcast (in the media) as it was occurring. This exposure prompted NATO's decision to act on Europe's stability and moral responsibility. The United States led this act of responsibility, supported by all party lines: President Bill Clinton in 1999 and later President George W. Bush in 2007, when he announced US support for Kosovo's independence.
Kosovo today is not just a post-conflict state under NATO protection. He's a trusted ally and a contributor to security. Over the past four years, more than a thousand members of the Kosovo Security Force have been trained in American programmes, including in West Point and the American Army War College. In 2021, an KSF unit landed together with the Iowa National Guard in Kuwait under Operation Inherent Resolve Our first international peacekeeping mission. We were the host of the three consecutive editions of Defender Europe, at the latest edition of the 28th Infantry Division was located in Kosovo.
Our defence expenses reflect this transformation. During our mandate we have fourfold our defence budget, with almost the entire additional budget devoted to new systems. Among these acquisitions are anti-tank Yavelin, USV, ASV, as well as the full refuelling of our army with new small arms, and discussions on buying Black Hawk helicopters are continuing. We have also signed the Classical Information Protection Agreement and CISMOA, becoming the 33rd global country with this trusted status. Our co-operation lies in supporting Ukraine: we trained Ukrainian personnel, donated equipment, joined Operation Interflex in the United Kingdom and imposed sanctions against Russia, Belarus, Iran and Hezbollah.
Defense is only one part of the story. Our partnership is built on three pillars: diplomacy, defence and development. In diplomacy, we sometimes face differences, especially regarding Serbia and its illegal structures in Kosovo. But these differences concern tactics and operations, not strategic values or goals. In these cases we are completely on the same line. In progress, progress is equally important.
My government unilaterally lowered import tariffs for all goods produced in the United States, strengthening our trade ties and further boosting American investments. The United States continued the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Program for Kosovo ʹ the U.S. largest grant in our history, over $200m. Its focus on preserving power in batteries will modernise our energy sector, help reduce imports and integrate new renewable resources, and ensure long-term stability. Meanwhile, General Electric yesterday completed the modernisation of one of our main Kosovo B thermal power plant units to continue working in the entity next year. This is development policy, but energy security.
Kosovo has responded positively to US requirements in other areas, including temporary housing of up to 50 citizens of third countries in 2025, in line with international humanitarian standards. This proved our willingness to support common global priorities.
All of this happens in a complicated regional environment. President Putin is counting on the western division. President Vuciq in Belgrade is trying to buy out time, exploiting divisions between EU institutions and member states, while refusing to sanction Russia and maintain close security and economic ties with Moscow. Weekly criticism of his regime rarely translates into crucial EU actions. At the same time, Narrativa in Serbia and the wider ones portray leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin as preferable to Western democratic models. This rhetoric revives the old notion of “-line”, but in practice it means hiding under multiple umbrellas until the right moment for destabilising movements in search of a Greater Serbia. Within the country, Serbian authorities ignore civil actors and protesters as <x2-dolls of Western NGOs”, a language that echoes Lucas' methods and seeks to delegate independent civil society. These trends are dangerous. A Russian victory in Ukraine would encourage Serbia's revisionative ambitions in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
In this context, Kosovo is a first safeguard line against malicious influence. Our institutions are strong, transparent and closely linked to Western partners. With Camp Bondsteel, KFOR's continued presence and our growing bilateral co-operation with the United States, Kosovo is a stabilising force in Southeast Europe. For these reasons, we cannot be passive. Our meeting with the United States and NATO is principled and pragmatic.
We impose sanctions when necessary, support Ukraine, strengthen our defence and build sustainable development. Differences with Washington may arise on tactical issues, but for strategy and values we are on the same line. Direction is clear: Kosovo and the United States are united in interests and are moving together towards common goals.
Kosovo is not seeking to be seen only as a beneficiary of NATO and US support. We are a security contributor, a development partner or a steadfast ally. In a region where Russian influence exploits divisions, Kosovo stands firm with the United States in question, politics and actions. I look forward to today's discussion of how we can further deepen this collaboration, in defence, in development and in ensuring lasting security for the Western Balkans.
Thank you.