In a special hearing of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, the Western Balkan countries were discussed as a region of increasing instability and strategic challenges for the US, the EU and NATO.
The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Keith Self, warned of the dangers of frozen conflicts and the influence of external actors such as Russia, China and Iran.
Speaking about Kosovo, Self expressed concern about the political situation and the elections of December 28, 2025:
“The electoral crisis in Kosovo has worsened the situation as a result of the Republic’s failure to form a government after the February 2025 elections, triggering snap elections in December 2025. After the elections, if Kosovo forms a government, it is my sincere hope that Serbia will finally recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty.”
He also commented on Kosovo-Serbia relations and their impact on regional stability:
“Serbia's unresolved relationship with Kosovo is one of the key issues leading to instability in the region that has created a strategic rift that enables Russia's ability to undermine the EU and NATO's ability to strengthen the Balkan countries.”
Self highlighted the stagnation of the 2023 Ohrid Agreement and the challenges in forming the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.
“The 2023 Ohrid Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, which was intended to de-escalate current tensions and revive past agreements, has stagnated.”
“Kosovo fears the formation of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities because Serbia could misuse it. Therefore, it has not yet established the same.”
Speaking about minority rights, he stated that Kosovo has legislation that protects these rights, which even surpasses those of EU countries.
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Self also warned of the risk of a new conflict in the Balkans, where Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia would be on the front lines, and the activation of the NATO Treaty could turn the situation into a matter of Euro-Atlantic collective security:
“The Western Balkans remains the most unstable region in Europe. Frozen conflicts are giving space to Russia, China and Iran, who are exploiting this situation to undermine the influence of the US, the European Union and NATO. On the front line would be Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia. If such a situation occurs, the NATO Treaty would be activated, turning this into a matter of collective Euro-Atlantic security.”
American politician William Richard Keating warned about Serbia's orientation.
"Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is strengthening relations with Russia and China more than with America."
“There seems to be further progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue which will bring the countries closer to the EU. I call on the leaders of both countries to stop the inflammatory rhetoric.”
Johns Hopkins University professor Edward Joseph criticized the American approach to Kosovo and suggested a strategic change, while during the report he also mentioned the attack in Banjska, as well as the kidnapping of a Kosovo Serb citizen by Serbia.
"The US can disrupt Serbia's destructive relationship with Russia and China by addressing the Kosovo issue. The ultimate answer is not an EU-led dialogue, but a path to NATO membership for Pristina and Belgrade. President Trump is in a very good position to make this transformative offer. In the meantime, the US should abandon its unbalanced stance towards Belgrade and Pristina, where only the latter is held responsible for provocations," he said.
