Edward P. Joseph, a lecturer at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, said that with the US's "Kosovo Model" for Donbas and Serbia and Kosovo's membership in NATO, Trump could achieve a historic victory that changes geopolitical balances, weakening Russia, strengthening NATO, and concluding unresolved post-war conflicts in Europe.
Joseph, in an article titled "A Balkan Breakthrough for Ukraine: Bring Serbia into NATO and Implement the Kosovo Model in Donbas," says that with his wavering stances on Ukraine, President Trump seems ready to back down from the effort to stop Russia's war.
“But he should not do this. Russia’s brutal war will continue, even with increased American support for Ukraine. Instead, Trump could help achieve a long-sought ceasefire by shifting attention from the Ukrainian front to the Balkans – a region where the US and its allies have more strategic influence,” he writes, reports RTK.
He talks about the Kosovo Model for Donbas.
“Instead of vague demands for “territorial swaps,” the US could propose an interim agreement for Donbass, modeled after UN Security Council Resolution 1244—the resolution that defined Kosovo’s interim status after NATO’s 1999 intervention. This model forgoes immediate recognition of sovereignty, leaving the decision to the people for an indefinite future. It establishes an interim international administration (UN or OSCE) in the disputed territories. It allows Ukraine to maintain a legal claim to Donbass, while offering Russia a “dignified” way to accept a ceasefire. As in Kosovo, in Donbass there would be: future referendums on final status, settlement of property issues, return of refugees, and removal of Russian influence,” he writes.
Serbia in NATO – Strategic Blow to Moscow
“Another powerful step would be Serbia and Kosovo’s membership in NATO. Serbia is a close ally of Russia and an opponent of Kosovo’s independence, supported by Moscow and Beijing in the UN. If: the US offers Serbia a favorable deal and economic and military aid, Vučić manages to politically justify the historic reversal before Serbian public opinion (where Trump enjoys great popularity), then Serbia’s membership in NATO would be a shock to the Kremlin. This would: Further isolate Russia in Europe, strengthen the West’s position in the Balkans, remove Russian and Chinese influence from Serbia, promote lasting peace between Belgrade and Pristina. Historic Agreement in the White House, Trump could summon the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to Washington to sign: An agreement on peace and mutual recognition (without formally calling it recognition). Commitment to joint NATO membership (with conditions for reforms). Implementation of the Association of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo. This would give Trump a landslide victory "diplomatic goals that American presidents from Bill Clinton onwards have failed to achieve," he said.
