Moore: Even if the number of American troops decreases, NATO remains present in Kosovo

Diplomat and former US Ambassador Jonathan Moore said the United States remains committed to NATO and praised that KFOR's mission will continue, as it is important both for Kosovo and the wider region.

Moore stressed that NATO is the most successful security organisation in history and noted that while the United States has long been the biggest contributor to the Alliance, other member states are now expected to boost their contributions.

The democratic and republican administrations, including President Donald Trump, have certainly been very clear that NATO members should contribute more both in terms of their defence budgets and in terms of forces anchored for operations, missions and NATO bases. The United States, of course, is conducting a comprehensive review of everything they do with their armed forces, led by the Pentagon and the White House, and part of this includes examining where we have bodies and where we don't. I believe that the main issue is not the exact number, whether it grows or decreases. The fact is that the United States expects NATO, remains committed to NATO, and this will continue regardless of whether it includes 10 soldiers or 10,000”, he told the Serbian-language medium “Kosovo Online”.

Commenting on reports of a possible US withdrawal from Kosovo, Moore said NATO would maintain its presence as the United States examines regions of the world that must cost its resources.

“I don't know what the final decisions will be, but the essence will be that NATO will maintain its presence. KFOR is extremely important for the entire region, for Kosovo's neighbours and for Kosovo itself. If you look at Albania and Northern Macedonia, both NATO members; Montenegro in NATO; Greece in NATO ? This is a fundamental structure that will remain unchanged. People are speculating and, frankly, they're interpreting too much. There is debate about where the United States has ambassadors and where it does not. The fact is we have embassies. We maintain the same global diplomatic network, with professional diplomats and ambassadors serving as representatives of the president worldwide. This has nothing to do with Kosovo. This has nothing to do with the Balkans. This has to do with a broader review that is taking place in the United States to determine where to separate our forces, talents and resources”, Moore said.

He noted that the number of American troops in Kosovo is not large and that forces from other countries remain on the ground, even if arrangements are made in US deployments.

“We do not have a large number of troops on the ground in Kosovo. Again, even if this number were reduced by some factor, NATO remains present. Italian forces are there. Turkish forces are there and will continue to be there. People should not focus on perceived advantages or disadvantages. They must understand that commitment to NATO, which the United States strongly supports, will not change”, Moore told Kosovo Online.

He stressed that President Trump has raised questions about the US defence budget spent abroad, but stressed that this does not change Washington's commitment to NATO.

It is very clear that under President Trump there is a comprehensive review of our defence budget, defence spending and resources, addressing challenges worldwide. President Trump can make different decisions, as others have in the past, and the world knows and understands that. But again, I must stress essential commitment to NATO, and role NATO is very clear”, he said. Moore also voiced hope that the political situation in Kosovo will stabilise and that Kosovo will meet its obligations to neighbouring states.

Kosovo aspires to become a NATO member. Hoping that political stability will reach and a functional government instead of another round of elections in March, she should focus on her responsibilities towards her neighbours and NATO member states, seeking improved diplomatic relations and at least one form of agreement with her neighbours, including Serbia. This would later offer an opportunity, perhaps in the future, for a political decision that would allow it to move towards NATO membership. But the crucial point is that, despite adjustments and discussions, basic commitments to NATO remain strong”, Moore concluded./Periscopi/