Trump Jr.’s NATO remarks in Belgrade trigger concerns in Albania and Kosovo

Donald Trump Jr. claimed during a visit to Belgrade that NATO’s 1999 airstrikes on Serbia were meant to distract from Bill Clinton’s scandal with Monica Lewinsky. His statement, echoing a long-debunked claim, has sparked concern in Albania and Kosovo about the future stance the Trump administration on the region. The remarks come amid growing fears that U.S. policy may shift toward a more pro-Serbia approach.

Why is this important: Trump Jr.’s comments are the latest in a series of statements challenging the legitimacy of NATO’s intervention in Kosovo. Alongside criticism of Kosovo’s leadership from Trump-era officials like Richard Grenell, they raise concerns in Pristina and Tirana about Washington’s future position on Kosovo. With U.S.-Kosovo relations already strained under Albin Kurti’s government, many fear that a new Trump administration could further distance itself from Pristina.

Context: Relations between Kosovo and the U.S. have cooled under Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose policies have often clashed with Washington’s approach to regional stability. The U.S., Kosovo’s most important ally, has openly criticized Kurti’s handling of tensions with Serbia. As Trump appears poised for a potential return to power, his allies’ recent statements suggest that a new administration could be more favorable to Belgrade, raising concerns about Kosovo’s diplomatic standing.

Reactions: Former Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo dismissed Trump Jr.’s claim as a recycled Republican talking point from 1998, initially used to undermine Clinton during the congressional elections. He argued that despite the business nature of Trump Jr.’s visit, his remarks carried clear political implications. The comments have fueled debates in Kosovo and Albania, where NATO’s intervention is widely regarded as a justified response to ethnic cleansing.