Bloomberg: Rivalry over Kosovo shows US-Europe rift

According to the agency, European Union diplomats are furious that President Donald Trump shut them out of talks between Serbia and Kosovo, fearing not only that EU interests will be sidelined but that the two countries’ long-term interests will suffer.

“Three officials familiar with the behind-the-scenes maneuvering in the Balkans said the transatlantic snub ignores years of EU efforts at reconciliation between the two sides and they suspect the main focus for U.S. Special Envoy Richard Grenell is delivering a quick win for his boss. Ahead of November elections, it could burnish his chances to be secretary of state in a second Trump term,” it added.

The U.S. intervention amounts to a diplomatic grab in an area previously occupied by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who spearheaded talks between Serbia and Kosovo and championed EU expansion in the Balkans. Grenell has built his international reputation on making life difficult for Merkel’s government and is seen by many German officials as a symbol of the deteriorating transatlantic relationship. Losing control over Balkan negotiations would be a particular blow for Merkel, who has invested much time in the region. Over the weekend, the German Chancellery launched into a flurry of diplomacy between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Avdullah Hoti, Kosovo’s new prime minister, one envoy said.

“Yet after years of largely failed EU efforts, Grenell’s new approach may break loose some progress, according to one U.S. official who asked not to be identified discussing internal deliberations,” the agency said and recalled that Grenell announced a June 27 White House meeting between officials from Pristina and Belgrade bit did not invite EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak who was en route to Kosovo in a bid to jumpstart negotiations.