The challenge of the next government: How will relations with the US be managed after the elections?

As Kosovo heads to the polls on Sunday, February 9, the issue of its relations with the United States has become a subject of discussion these days after two posts on the social network X by President Trump's envoy for special missions Richard Grenell, who in the first administration was the special envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Mr. Grenell said on Monday in his first post that the government led by Albin Kurti is not trustworthy, adding that "the rhetoric used by Albin Kurti now, claiming that he is close to the US and better than all other governments in Kosovo, is absolutely false. Do not be fooled," he wrote.

On Thursday, in his first response to these comments, Prime Minister Kurti, during an interview on Istogu Channel television, said that relations with the United States are very good.

"We have never had it better. We are also buying Black Hawk helicopters after the Javelin anti-tank system, we received the largest grant from the US during my government... It has never been better. Are there any criticisms and remarks? Yes, but we have to move forward," said Prime Minister Kurti.

Mr. Grenell's reaction was immediate. "Disgrace," he wrote on the X network. "Relations have never been lower. Albin Kurti has been condemned by the first Trump administration, the Biden administration, NATO, the EU, the US Embassy, ​​Anthony Blinken, etc."

At a pre-election rally in Istog in western Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti criticized the opposition for, as he said, seeking help from "some international".

"This type of opposition is begging for its fate with a candle from some shallow international, and not from the historical depth of our people where solutions are always found. Those who are looking to find an American official to insult the Prime Minister of their Republic, these people should never return," said Mr. Kurti, but without mentioning names.

During the first term of US President Donald Trump, the Kurti government's relations with the United States were tense. In November last year, after Mr. Trump's victory, Mr. Kurti said his government was ready and interested in continuing cooperation with the new American administration.

His government's relations with former President Joe Biden's administration have not been on the best of terms. American diplomats have repeatedly warned that the actions of Kosovo authorities in the Serb-majority north of the country have affected the quality of the partnership and warned Pristina that disagreements hinder their commitment to helping Kosovo progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

Analysts described Mr. Grenell's statements at this time as unusual, but warned that whichever future government emerges from the February 9 elections will face much more difficult challenges in a much more unpredictable world and must be careful in handling alliances./VOA