On Tuesday, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani appeared on Fox & Friends, praising former U.S. President Donald Trump for his ‘peace through strength’ strategy, which she claims has maintained peace in the region. Osmani, who has consistently supported U.S. involvement in the Balkans, described Trump’s leadership as critical in preventing conflicts between Kosovo and Serbia. The two nations have faced long-standing tensions since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, with Serbia maintaining its claim over the region.
Osmani highlighted several instances where the Trump administration played a pivotal role in averting potential conflicts. She mentioned the September 2023 incident where Serbia attempted an act of aggression against Kosovo, which was successfully thwarted by the combined efforts of NATO allies and the U.S. administration. She also referenced a similar flare-up in May, which she attributes to the Trump administration’s effective intervention and deterrence. ‘This past May, there was another attempted flare-up, if I may call it so, and this administration has been doing a wonderful job to prevent these [flare-ups] from escalating,’ she stated.
Osmani emphasized that the previous generations in Kosovo had faced prolonged conflict, and now its younger residents can lead relatively peaceful lives due to U.S. leadership. ‘We’re a country where every single generation before our kids had to go through a war,’ she said. ‘Our kids now can go to bed without the sound of firearms and the fear that we had to grow up as children of war because of American leadership.’ This sentiment underscores the deep impact of U.S. foreign policy on Kosovo’s security and stability.
Osmani further explained that her country views Trump’s ‘peace through strength’ doctrine as essential for continued peace. She reiterated the need for strong leadership, particularly in a region where autocratic regimes and unstable actors pose persistent threats. ‘The president [Trump] has always been a leader that speaks with clarity and strength and conviction, so, as he takes the stage at the United Nations today, we expect a strong message of peace through strength that has delivered in our part of Europe, because that’s the only message that autocrats and crazy leaders around the world who want to kill and cause suffering understand,’ she said.
While the U.S. has remained a key ally in the Balkans, the situation remains complex. Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence continues to be a point of contention. However, Osmani’s comments suggest that the Trump administration’s approach has so far provided a framework for stability, even if it remains fragile. Her endorsement of ‘peace through strength’ reflects both the tangible benefits of U.S. military deterrence and the broader political implications of American influence in the region.