US envoy: Prioritising mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia is ridiculous

Richard Grenell, the longtime Donald Trump ally and special presidential envoy, has emphasised that economic development and job creation in Kosovo should take precedence over the pursuit of mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo, which he described as a “ridiculous” focus.

In an interview with Klan Kosova TV, Grenell outlined a pragmatic, economy-first approach to resolving longstanding issues in the Western Balkans, aligning with the policies of U.S. President Trump’s administration.

Grenell said: “This is my personal opinion — the idea of mutual recognition is ridiculous. Why do we have this political dialogue where it’s written ‘you have to love me and I have to love you’? Young people want jobs.”

He served as the special envoy to Serbia and Kosovo during Trump’s first term and has now been appointed as the presidential envoy for special missions.

Grenell, who also served as U.S. Ambassador to Germany and Acting Director of National Intelligence in 2020, argued that the key to stabilizing Kosovo lies in fostering economic growth rather than prioritising political agreements.

“Young people in Kosovo want jobs, not political agreements,” he stated, dismissing mutual recognition as a primary goal. He advocated for a “step-by-step” approach, focusing on economic strengthening to bridge political divides.

Mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia is a critical, though complex, condition for their respective paths to European Union (EU) accession, as it underpins the EU-facilitated normalization dialogue aimed at resolving longstanding disputes and ensuring regional stability in the Western Balkans.

During his tenure as Special Envoy from 2019 to 2021, Grenell facilitated the Washington Agreement, signed on 4 September, 2020, by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti in the presence of President Trump. The agreement emphasised economic normalization, including improved road, rail, and air connectivity, and introduced temporary moratoriums on certain political actions.

This marked a departure from traditional diplomatic efforts, positioning economic convergence as a foundation for future stability.

Grenell also expressed a long-term vision of economic development reducing the need for NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR).

“I want the day to come when there will be no NATO troops there, because their presence sends the business community the message that the area is not safe,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that ongoing tensions necessitate KFOR’s continued presence for now.

Business ties and regional investments

Grenell maintains close, nearly amicable, relations with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Foreign Minister Marko Djurić, who previously served as Serbia’s ambassador to the United States. In 2023, Vucic honored Grenell with the Order of the Serbian Flag in recognition of his “balanced approach” to Kosovo.

Beyond diplomacy, Grenell has engaged in business initiatives in the region. He is reportedly linked to Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner’s project, which aims to redevelop the former Ministry of Defence buildings in Belgrade.

In March 2024, the Serbian government, Kushner and Arab investors finalised a $500 million deal to transform the former Serbian army headquarters in Belgrade into a luxury Trump Tower hotel complex with upscale apartments. The project also includes plans for a memorial honoring those killed during the 1999 NATO bombing of Belgrade.

This project has sparked debate in Serbia, with critics questioning its implications. Grenell has also held meetings with Kosovar business leaders, promoting an “investment–development” agenda to drive stabilisation.

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Tensions between Grenell and Kosovo’s leadership, particularly President Vjosa Osmani, highlight Pristina’s cautious stance toward initiatives tied to Trump’s circle. Osmani and others have expressed concerns that economic initiatives alone may not address core political and security challenges.

Grenell’s suggestion of a future without NATO forces in Kosovo contrasts with the current security landscape. Recent tensions in northern Kosovo have led to an increased KFOR presence, underscoring the region’s volatility.

Grenell acknowledged that NATO’s role remains critical until hostilities subside, but he remains optimistic that economic progress could pave the way for reduced military presence.

War crimes and retribution

Addressing the ongoing trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commanders at the Special Court for Kosovo in The Hague, Grenell expressed confidence in the judicial process. Thaçi, along with Kadri Veseli, Yakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi, faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the 1998–1999 Kosovo War, including nearly 100 murders, kidnappings, and torture. The trial, which began in 2023, involves 312 witnesses and is expected to last a long time.

Grenell urged Kosovo’s leaders, including Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Osmani, to strengthen the country’s justice system to protect its sovereignty and guard against politically motivated prosecutions.

“One day it’s Thaçi, the next day it could be them,” he warned, in higly undiplomatic remarks.

Thaçi, former Kosovo President and Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leader, is currently on trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between March 1998 and September 1999, with the prosecution resting its case in April 2025.

Unlike Thaçi, neither Kurti nor Osmani have been formally accused or implicated in war crimes by international tribunals or credible investigations.

Grenell’s statements have elicited mixed responses. In Serbia, media outlets have largely welcomed his focus on economic priorities and his scepticism of mutual recognition.

In Kosovo, however, some politicians and commentators worry that an “economy-first” approach may sideline the strategic goal of full recognition by Serbia, a key pillar of Kosovo’s foreign policy.

Kosovo’s independence, declared on 17 February 2008, owes much to the United States’ multifaceted support, which includes military intervention, diplomatic backing, and ongoing economic and political assistance.

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More Kosovo coverage here.

Caption: File photo. Former Acting Director of national intelligence Richard Grenell delivers remarks during the third day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, 17 July 2024. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO