Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani publishes Trump’s letter: Kosovo will continue to stand by side of U.S. (media)
• KDI: Parliamentary blockade has seriously undermined institutional functioning (Klan)
• Gucati: The message of our protest is clear, it will also be heard in The Hague (Klan)
• MP Tahiri: Justice must be based on facts, not on Serbia's manipulations (media)
• Serious: Trendafilova calls display of Kosovo’s flag ‘provocation’ (Nacionale)
• OSCE Ambassador calls for urgent solution to crisis at RTK (RTK)
• Great Britain expresses concern over Kosovo-Serbia tensions (Albanian Post)
• Ziadeh on her experience as Head of UNMIK: Challenges remain (Kosova Press)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: I suggested that Trump visits Serbia, we will reinstate relations to former level (RTS)
• Lawyer warns of misuse of plea deals as Serbian official admits guilt in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Popovic pleads guilty before Kosovo prosecution: What are the implications for Belgrade? (KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Blagica Janackovic: We have a final and binding decision for apartment, but that means nothing to them (Kosovo Online)
• Tahiri, Zogaj reactions on Djuric meeting Rubio (Kosovo Online) 

International:

• Kosovo awaits court’s ruling as deadline to act on Parliament stand-off looms (Balkan Insight)
• Give Kosovo’s public broadcaster its funds, protesting workers demand (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani publishes Trump’s letter: Kosovo will continue to stand by side of U.S. (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has published the letter she received on Tuesday from President Donald Trump of the United States. In her Facebook post, Osmani thanked Trump for his support and for his strong words about the partnership with Kosovo. “Kosovo will continue to stand by the side of the United States, in every challenge and every success. I remain committed to working together with President Trump to further deepen our alliance in the years to come,” Osmani wrote.

In his letter, Trump thanked Osmani for her dedication and friendship toward the U.S. and expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation in the coming years.

KDI: Parliamentary blockade has seriously undermined institutional functioning (Klan)

The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) has warned that the ongoing four-month blockade in the Assembly has seriously damaged institutional functioning and the constitutional order in Kosovo. According to KDI, the failure to constitute the Assembly is no longer just a post-election crisis, but a major institutional breakdown that undermines democracy and rule of law.

Eugen Cakolli from KDI stated that the lack of a functioning Assembly has left people without representation, allowed the caretaker government to operate unchecked—committing over €70 million in spending—and left independent institutions without oversight. Key reforms such as Vetting and the Civil Code are stalled, and international agreements with the IMF, World Bank, and EU are blocked.

Additionally, more than 20 independent institutions, managing €59 million annually, are operating without scrutiny. KDI warned that this vacuum could lead to political interference, reduced transparency, and misuse of public funds.

KDI called on all political actors to resolve the deadlock urgently and in line with constitutional principles, and requested a full audit of government decisions made during this period.

Gucati: The message of our protest is clear, it will also be heard in The Hague (Klan)

The Chairman of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) War Veterans Organisation, Hysni Gucati, spoke about today’s protest, called against, as he says, the injustices being done to former KLA leaders by the Specialized Chambers in The Hague. He told Klan Kosova TV that this protest is a return to the spirit of unity from 1990s. “Today we will be united. Today I believe the citizens of Kosovo will come together like back then, in the ‘90s. Our message is clear and I believe it will be heard not only by the Special Court but throughout the democratic world, that this court is unjust and biased,” he said.

MP Tahiri: Justice must be based on facts, not on Serbia's manipulations (media)

Abelar Tahiri, MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has expressed support for today’s protest in Pristina against the Kosovo Specialized Chambers, emphasizing that justice must be based on facts, not Serbian manipulations. He stated that people are demanding fair treatment for former KLA leaders, who he believes are being held unjustly in the Hague. Tahiri expects strong public turnout, calling it a clear message in defense of justice and the legacy of the KLA. He added that support for these leaders has been consistent and widespread, and their potential release would be a cause for celebration among Albanians.

Serious: Trendafilova calls display of Kosovo’s flag ‘provocation’ (Nacionale)

According to the news website, in a briefing with diplomats, the President of the Specialized Chambers, Ekaterina Trendafilova, called the presence of Kosovo’s state symbols in the Specialist Court a “provocation.” This statement by Trendafilova was revealed through a document published by journalist Lirim Mehmetaj. In what is claimed to be the minutes of the meeting, published by the news website, among other issues, it is said that “the German Ambassador asked her why the flag and symbols of Kosovo are not shown in the Court as did the lawyer of Thaci ask. Trendafilova said that the Specialist Chambers are a complex institution that brings together professionals from many countries and financed by the EU and other donor countries. She said the Lawyer of Thaci tested and provoked the Judge aiming to create a political debate in Kosovo that would delegitimise the Specialist Chambers, but the pre-Trial judge was kind and respectful to him, which will not be the case on other occasions if it is raised again, because it has a pure political aim. The whole issue is to show the Specialist Chambers as something foreign to the people of Kosovo.”

OSCE Ambassador calls for urgent solution to crisis at RTK (RTK)

The OSCE Ambassador to Kosovo Gerard McGurk, held a meeting with the Acting Director General of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), Hysen Hundozi, to learn from the first hand about challenges and risks faced by the public broadcaster. “I appreciated the meeting with Mr. Hundozi and the opportunity to hear directly from RTK’s leadership about the current challenges. I reiterated that OSCE in Kosovo’s strong call for the urgent need to resolve the ongoing situation affecting RTK,” McGurk, stated according to an OSCE post on Facebook.

He emphasized that RTK, as a public broadcast, plays a vital role in ensuring all communities have access to accurate, impartial, and timely information. According to him, the current institutional deadlock threatens RTK’s independence and continuity, undermining people’s fundamental right to information. McGruk highlighted the importance of passing a law on RTK, which would provide a sustainable long-term funding model. He confirmed the OSCE Mission’s commitment to support this process. “The OSCE Mission calls on all institutions and relevant stakeholders to act quickly to ensure RTK’s uninterrupted operation ahead of the October 12 local elections, while also securing the financial independence and long-term stability of this institution,” he concluded.

Great Britain expresses concern over Kosovo-Serbia tensions (Albanian Post)

The United Kingdom reaffirms support for dialogue under the EU’s guidance. The United Kingdom’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Karen Pierce, expressed concern over tensions between Kosovo and Serbia during a conversation with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the British Embassy in Belgrade announced. The statement notes that the British diplomat emphasized the importance of resolving issues through dialogue mediated by the European Union, reaffirming London’s support for the process of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

Ziadeh on her experience as Head of UNMIK: Challenges remain (Kosova Press)

Caroline Ziadeh, the outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, reflected on her three-and-a-half-year mandate in Kosovo in a farewell interview, highlighting the mission’s deep engagement in trust-building, inclusion, and community support.

She described some of the most meaningful moments during her time in Kosovo, including the inauguration of the Barabar Center in Pristina, a space for interethnic dialogue launched in partnership with local organizations. The center has since hosted over 220 events with more than 17,000 participants, demonstrating the power of local ownership and cooperation. Another impactful initiative she recalled was the unveiling of a mural on gender-based violence, created by young people from diverse communities, which became a symbol of unity and awareness.

Ziadeh emphasized the importance of UNMIK’s cultural and sports initiatives, such as the Mitrovica Jazz Festival and youth football camps, which helped foster connection and trust across ethnic lines. She also pointed to the Working Group on Missing Persons (WGMP) as an example of quiet but crucial progress in peacebuilding. Despite political tensions, UNMIK has worked consistently to ensure that the group remains active, keeping the focus on humanitarian needs and the dignity of victims' families.

Empowering women and youth was a key part of her mission. Through the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agendas, UNMIK supported dozens of programs that helped bring these groups from the margins to leadership positions. Among the initiatives were a mentorship program for young women, youth assemblies that promoted civic engagement, and policy forums that moved beyond symbolic inclusion to real influence. The Kosovo Legal Institute, backed by UNMIK, provided free legal aid in over 1,500 cases, offering vital support especially for women and minority communities.

In November 2023, the Kosovo Trust-Building Forum in Thessaloniki gathered 120 civil society, media, and institutional representatives, who developed 27 policy recommendations for justice, inclusion, and intercommunity cooperation

Read the interview here: Caroline Ziadeh | United Nations

Serbian Language Media 

Djuric: I suggested that Trump visits Serbia, we will reinstate relations to former level (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met in Washington US State Secretary Marc Rubio and discussed with him a series of topics, ranging from strategic partnership between Serbia and US, position of the Serbs in Kosovo to the situation relating to Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik.

Djuric told RTS that strategic dialogue between two countries had been agreed upon, expressing hope relations between Belgrade and Washington “will be reinstated to the level they were at times of our forefathers”.

Terming the tone of conversation as extraordinary, giving him many reasons for optimism, Djuric also said that agreed strategic dialogue entails topics such economy, energy, defense, culture, state visits and all other topics that can advance cooperation and reinstate diplomatic relations as they were.

He also said during the meeting he suggested that US President Donald Trump visits Serbia which would be the first visit of the US President to Belgrade after 40 years and for that visit “the doors of Serbia are widely open”.  

Lawyer warns of misuse of plea deals as Serbian official admits guilt in Kosovo (KoSSev)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director Igor Popovic, has entered a plea agreement with Kosovo Special Prosecution, admitting guilt to the charge of inciting discord and intolerance. The agreement has been confirmed by the Prosecution in Pristina and Popović’s legal representative. Popovic’s lawyer has declined further comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings, KoSSev portal reported.

A Broader Trend

Popovic is not the first Serbian official or citizen to face such charges. His case joins a growing number of plea deals made by Kosovo Serbs accused of inciting hatred, terrorism, or espionage.

Defense attorneys frequently claim their clients are innocent but point to what they describe as a repressive legal environment, where suspects opt to plead guilty - not because they committed the alleged crimes, but because they fear long pre-trial detentions and biased proceedings with slim chances of acquittal.

This growing trend raises concerns over whether repeated guilty pleas - especially under pressure - could discourage others from pursuing justice, even when convinced of their innocence. Furthermore, when high-ranking Serbian officials admit guilt in Kosovo courts, what message does that send about Serbia’s official stance on Kosovo - and what consequences does it carry for Serbia’s diplomatic efforts?

“A Double-Edged Sword”, Nebojsa Vlajic, a seasoned Serbian defense attorney with extensive experience in Kosovo’s legal system, told KoSSev that the institution of plea bargaining is being abused.

“The mechanism exists for cases where a crime truly occurred and the defendant can gain something by cooperating”, Vlajic explained. “But the problem is it’s now being used broadly - because defendants know legal procedures often don’t apply to them. They’re aware they might be detained indefinitely without evidence and treated worse if they don’t plead guilty”.

“Defendants are too afraid to go to trial. They pick what’s ‘cheapest’ for them. The abuse lies in the fact that many of them shouldn’t be in prison at all- because no crime was actually committed”, Vlajic added.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/auKt4

Popovic pleads guilty before Kosovo prosecution: What are the implications for Belgrade? (KoSSev, KiM radio)

Igor Popovic, acting deputy director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, has reached a plea agreement with the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office this week, admitting guilt to charges of “inciting discord and intolerance.” The indictment and the plea agreement have been submitted to the Basic Court in Pristina, the prosecution confirmed, as did Popovic’s lawyer. 

The Serbian side, which had previously denied any wrongdoing, has not publicly responded to the development.

KoSSev reached out to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija for comment on whether Popovic had consulted with officials in Belgrade prior to his plea deal, and what the official response was — if any — to secure his release. We received no reply.

His lawyer stated earlier that it was not the time for public comments while the proceedings were ongoing.

Janjic: A severe blow to the Government

Dusan Janjic, director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations and a long-time Kosovo affairs analyst, said that the ramifications of Popovic’s admission of guilt are already visible — and multiple.

“One is even, in a way, positive,” Janjic noted. “It may serve as a wake-up call for part of the Serbian community in Kosovo and Serbia regarding the competence and integrity of their government officials. That level has been critically low for quite some time now.”

He went on to highlight deeper issues, including a lack of understanding of official policy among state officials and a dissonance between individual actions and Serbia’s current political narrative on Kosovo.

Since 2016, Janjic explained, Serbian officials have adopted a form of “newspeak” — a language that presents Kosovo’s institutions as illegitimate by routinely using the phrase “so-called” when referring to Kosovo’s police, courts, or government. Popović’s plea deal directly contradicts this official discourse.

“In a functioning state, a detained official — if unable to consult directly — should at least know the official line of the government,” Janjic said, adding that this represents “a serious blow to the current leadership.”

He argued that the case demonstrates the need for the Serbian government to abandon its propagandistic vocabulary and instead focus on preparing officials to engage constructively and realistically.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/kycet59p

Blagica Janackovic: We have a final and binding decision for apartment, but that means nothing to them (Kosovo Online)

Blagica Janackovic, who was evicted yesterday from her apartment in North Mitrovica along with her family, following an order by the Kosovo Property Comparison and Verification Agency, assisted by Kosovo police, said they will fight for justice, as they have a final and binding decision for the apartment, which, unfortunately, the Kosovo authorities do not recognize, Kosovo Online portal reported. Blagica had lived in that apartment for 24 years with her husband Dragan, their son, and daughter-in-law.

"My husband is taking all of this especially hard emotionally because this is the fifth time we’re being forced to move. We were displaced from Novo Selo, where we left behind all our property, where everything was burned down. His father was kidnapped there, and to this day we don't know where his remains are. In the end, we received papers from Trepca and bought an apartment through Trepca, where my husband earned his pension after 40 years of work, and where I have been working for 35 years and am still employed. Together, we have 75 years of work experience, all in Trepca, and now we’re being denied the right to the socially owned apartment that we purchased through Trepca’s office in Belgrade”, Janackovic told Kosovo Online.

As she added “in 2007, we completed all the paperwork in the municipal court in Kosovska Mitrovica, precisely to avoid a situation like this. Trepca represented us in court. We submitted all the proper documents there. We received a decision from the municipal court of the provisional administration in Kosovo, and in September 2007, we were issued a ruling that substituted the purchase contract for the apartment. The decision is final and binding, but it means nothing to them, because they claim those are parallel institutions they do not recognize, ever since Kosovo declared independence under their law in 2008”, she explained.

Asked whether they had received any notice during the 20 years they lived in the apartment, Janackovic said they had not.

“Nothing. In 20 years, no one notified us of anything. Meanwhile, a parallel procedure was underway, where Mr. Jonuzi, who previously used the apartment, supposedly made an exchange, even though he never worked at Trepca. He even tried before 1999 to go to Trepca and buy this apartment but was rejected. He only had the apartment for use. Apartments were always given and taken back based on use. I have nothing more to say. If the two of us, with 75 years of work experience at Trepca, don’t have the right to the socially-owned apartment we purchased, then I have nothing else to add. We will keep fighting”, she said.

Tahiri, Zogaj reactions on Djuric meeting Rubio (Kosovo Online) 

The former chief negotiator of Pristina in the dialogue with Belgrade, Edita Tahiri, noted today, on the occasion of the meeting between Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani recently met with the US Deputy Secretary of State in the US, while the Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs, as she said, "slipped into diplomacy and disappeared".

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia met with US Secretary of State Rubio. Our President met with the US Deputy Secretary of State some time ago when she was in America. Not to mention our Minister of Foreign Affairs - she slipped into diplomacy and disappeared," Tahiri said on Facebook.

Tahiri believes that those who are responsible for Kosovo's diplomacy should be called to account, because, as he states, they are destroying Kosovo.

Analyst Petrit Zogaj also commented on the Djuric, Rubio meeting in Washington, noting that while Serbian diplomacy is holding important meetings, Kosovo is focused on building two bridges over the Ibar River.

Zogaj ironically remarked that Kosovo is "busy building two bridges."

"Kosovo is a bit busy building two bridges, and once we are done - and these 'capital' projects usually don't take long - maybe we will find some time to meet with Rubio," Zogaj wrote on FB.

International

Kosovo awaits court’s ruling as deadline to act on Parliament stand-off looms (Balkan Insight)

When the temporary ban on parliament constituting itself expires on August 8, Kosovo may find itself in uncharted waters – unless the Constitutional Court can plot a way forward.

On Friday, a two-week ban on Kosovo’s parliament constituting itself, imposed by the Constitutional Court on July 24, expires. The assembly may find itself in an unprecedented situation, awaiting the court’s potential guidance on how further to proceed.

Since April 15, when MPs convened for the first time after the February election, they have failed to inaugurate parliament despite making 53 attempts to do so. On July 25, they convened for the last time before the court’s temporary ban entered into force.

See at: https://shorturl.at/qKt2c

Give Kosovo’s public broadcaster its funds, protesting workers demand (Balkan Insight)

RTK staff protest over failure to allocate the second half of the public broadcaster's 2025 budget because Kosovo still lacks a functioning parliament – which has left them without salaries for July.

Staff at Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK, protested in front of the government building on Wednesday, demanding the allocation of the second half of RTK’s 2025 budget, after going unpaid for July, warning of strikes, boycotts and legal action if the situation is not resolved.

The protest, organised by the RTK Workers’ Union, featured banners reading: “Journalists without pay, democracy without a voice”, “A budget for RTK – not silence for the truth”, and “Don’t shut down the public’s voice”.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/RJ4kE