Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani, Kurti: “Defender Europe”, proof Kosovo is ready to join NATO (media)
• U.S. Embassy: `Defender 25` demonstrates strength of US-KSF partnership (RTK)
• Hargreaves: Exercise proves KSF ability to cooperate with other forces (media)
• Osmani to meet parties today, and set date for local elections (media)
• State Department on budget cuts, diplomatic presence in Kosovo, Balkans (media)
• EU encourages Kosovo to gradually liberalize energy market (media) 
• 22 arrests, nearly half a million euros confiscated in anti-drug operation (Koha) 
• LDK’s Haziri says NO to Vetevendosje is final (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic after meeting with Sorensen in Brussels (media)
• Simic after meeting with Quint representatives (Kosovo Online)
• Seventh UN Assembly in Kosovo dedicated to youth (RTK2)
• Maja Sever re-elected as President of the EFJ, Rexha on the Board (KoSSev)
• The European Federation adopted a resolution expressing concern over attacks on journalists in Serbia (KoSSev)
• Vucic guided by state interests, not party interests; elections when the institutions decide (Tanjug, N1, RTS)
• Brnabic: Plan to open Cluster 3 by end-July ambitious but feasible (Tanjug, RTS)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani, Kurti: “Defender Europe”, proof Kosovo is ready to join NATO (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti have stated that the organization of the international military exercise “Defender Europe” is proof that Kosovo is ready to join NATO.

During a visit to the exercises in Babaj of Boka, Osmani said on Tuesday that Kosovo is ready to contribute to such operations, as an equal state and a member of NATO. “I want to thank the U.S. generals who are not only today, but who have been with our soldiers for a long time in training and preparation”, she stated. According to her, the exercise “Defender 25” is a powerful proof of the unwavering alliance between the U.S. and Kosovo.

Meanwhile, the acting prime minister said that the exercise demonstrates Kosovo's operational power and ability to contribute to regional and wider security. "In this specific case, the Republic of Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia and Bulgaria, together with us, have managed to show and demonstrate our power for the operational capacity we have with NATO. In this way, we strengthen our cause that Kosovo's membership in NATO is not only for the benefit of our country, but also for the contribution that we are able to make", Kurti said.

He announced that a total of 29 countries participated in the "Defender 2025" exercise, and that around 4,000 hectares of land were expropriated for the development of this exercise, which are now owned by the Kosovo Ministry of Defense.

U.S. Embassy: `Defender 25` demonstrates strength of US-KSF partnership (RTK)

The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo said that the US Army-led exercise, DEFENDER 25, is demonstrating the strength of cooperation between the U.S., the Kosovo Security Force and NATO Allies. The U.S. Embassy's Facebook post states that "DEFENDER 25" demonstrates the US Army's ability to deploy rapidly and collaborate with allies from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, demonstrating the US commitment to NATO and the power of partnership.

"For the first time in Kosovo, a division-level command headquarters is being deployed, with 180 personnel from the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry Division overseeing four multinational brigades."

"Over 960 Kosovo Security Force troops are training alongside U.S. forces and partners across Europe, demonstrating Kosovo's growing role in regional and global security," the announcement said.

Hargreaves: Exercise proves KSF ability to cooperate with other forces (media)

UK Ambassador to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves said on Tuesday that he visited the Defender Europe 25, the US Army’s largest annual exercise. “It demonstrated the ability of the KSF to work with forces from the U.S., Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia and Bulgaria on the strategic deployment of forces, demonstrating interoperability between NATO Allies & partners. Great to witness the Kosovo Security Force working together with U.S., North Macedonia, Albania, Turkey on Ex Defender 25 here in Kosovo. Also saw the efforts that two of our fantastic Royal Military Academy Sandhurst alumni - both Infantry and Specialists - are making to the development of the force.

Osmani to meet parties today, and set date for local elections (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will meet political parties today as part of consultations to set the date for the local elections. A media advisor to Osmani confirmed the meeting and said that the President will announce the date immediately after the consultations. 

State Department on budget cuts, diplomatic presence in Kosovo, Balkans (media)

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department in a response to Gazeta Express said that there is no closure of any embassy or consulate and that work is continuing normally. “No closures of embassies or consulates have been announced and operations continue normally. The State Department continues to assess our programs and global positioning to ensure that we are in the best position to face modern challenges on behalf of the American people,” the spokesperson said.

EU encourages Kosovo to gradually liberalize energy market (media) 

The European Union believes that Kosovo should gradually liberalize its energy market, moving away from the existing Wholesale Energy Supply Agreement between KEK and KESCO, as this agreement is in conflict with the laws and regulations of both the EU and regional markets. But this critical transition for Kosovo, which the EU says it will financially support, must be managed carefully in order to reduce the social and economic consequences.

This was stated by the European Commission spokesperson, responding to questions regarding the entry into force of the decision according to which companies with over 50 employees or over 10 million euros in turnover in Kosovo must be supplied on the free market. These are also answers to the question of whether it was the EU that requested such market liberalization from Kosovo.

“The liberalisation of the energy market in Kosovo by gradually phasing out the Wholesale Power Trading Agreement (BSA) between KEK (Kosovo Energy Corporation) and KESCO (Kosovo Energy Distribution Company) is essential for Kosovo to integrate into the regional and EU energy markets. The BSA is in conflict with the EU and Energy Community legislation, as well as with the principles of free competition and state aid,” the European Commission spokesperson said in a response.

22 arrests, nearly half a million euros confiscated in anti-drug operation (Koha) 

Kosovo Police carried out an anti-organized crime operation called “Broken Sky” on Tuesday in several regions of Kosovo. 22 people were arrested and according to the prosecution an organized crime group that dealt with drug trafficking was destroyed. During the operation 29 cars and almost half a million euros were confiscated. The prosecution said that the operation which was led by a prosecutor of the Special Prosecution of Kosovo included assistance from law enforcement authorities in Belgium, Netherlands and Europol.

LDK’s Haziri says NO to Vetevendosje is final (Express)

MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lutfi Haziri said on Tuesday that this party will not cooperate with Kurti’s Vetevendosje Movement. “Our response is in writing. Unofficial meetings do not help this. There was a good cooperation between the LDK and LVV until the government was formed … We have seen both sides of the medal. The LDK’s position has not changed, and we have confirmed our consistency. It is final. They are the first party, they can work with whomever they want, and implement the election results,” Haziri said in an interview with Kanal 10. 

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic after meeting with Sorensen in Brussels (media)

Demand to immediately end Kurti’s persecution of SL representatives

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated that during his meeting in Brussels with Peter Sorensen, the EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, he specifically demanded an immediate end to the persecution and pressure on the political representatives of the Serbian people, namely the Serbian List.

“The President of the Serbian List, Mr. Elek, received a summons from the so-called Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office to appear on June 10, most likely in connection with those peaceful protests and barricades. They’re referring to some article related to alleged terrorism. The same summons was received by Igor Simic and many other prominent Serbs," said Petkovic. 

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ykjx6ytn

A list of 50 escalatory Pristina moves handed to Sorenson; The CSM is the Dialogue's backbone 

Petkovic stated that during a meeting in Brussels he handed over a list containing 50 specific escalatory moves by Pristina. He emphasized the level of persecution faced by Serbs in Kosovo by Pristina institutions and police. Petkovic underscored that the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM) is essential for halting the persecution and achieving de-escalation, calling it the "backbone of the dialogue."

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/53v5s7kh

Simic after meeting with Quint representatives (Kosovo Online)

After a meeting with representatives of the embassies of the Quint countries and the EU, member of the Presidency of the Serbian List Igor Simic reported that he told his interlocutors that it was high time for the Quint to prevent "the expulsion of everything Serbian", reported Kosovo Online yesterday.

He said that his meeting was requested by representatives of the SL after "the violent raids on Serbian institutions in northern Kosovo on May 20th", also discussing problems of the Serbian people, especially in the north. Simic said that they asked for concrete answers to what the embassies of the Quint countries would do to prevent "the expulsion of everything Serbian" beside the statements heard.

Simic confirmed that he, Zlatan Elek, and Slavko Simic have been summoned for questioning for attacking the constitutional order of Kosovo and other criminal offenses related to the December 2022 protests.

"We are in a group of more than 40 Serbs, as far as we know, who received the same or similar calls, and they relate to peaceful protests that took place in northern Kosovo and Metohija in December 2022," said Simic among other things, pointing that this was also about political pressure on the Serbian List and elected representatives. 

Seventh UN Assembly in Kosovo dedicated to youth (RTK2)

The seventh UN Assembly in Kosovo dedicated to youth was held yesterday. This year's theme emphasizes the ability of young people to maintain peace, inclusion and resilience, as well as the need to strengthen their central role in shaping a sustainable future in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. It was said that a sustainable Kosovo was necessary for permanent peace and regional stability in the Western Balkans, reported RTK2. The seventh youth assembly was opened by the UNMIK Head, Caroline Ziadeh, who emphasized the importance of peace.

"We live in a world full of challenges. You are not just witnesses to the things that are happening today, but you are the key movers of a better future. More than 600 million young people live in conflict-affected zones. Your resistance, creativity and commitment to change has never been more intense. All over the world, young people are making their voices heard by bringing new ideas, showing courage, providing resistance and energy to build peace. However, more work is needed to make voices fully heard."

The UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo, Arnhild Spence, reminded of the importance of the cooperation of young people from all communities.

"You are the future and the generation for shaping a more stable society. There are many challenges but also opportunities. People take initiatives and actions every day in the environments where they live, starting different dialogues. These are inspiring actions. But unfortunately, it is a question of the environment in which you work because it is not always fully developed in order to adapt to the inspirations. The lack of employment opportunities both in Kosovo and in the region is an incentive for migration. Passivity is something that we need to overcome."

The Head of the Regional Office for Youth Cooperation in Kosovo, Krenare Gashi, called on young people to influence the achievement of regional peace.

"Youth can initiate a better future for all of us. We know that the times we live in require your energy more than ever and we need to understand that peace and security is not only in the hands of institutions but is a process built through dialogue and cooperation across borders with young people like you."

The team gathers 150 young people from the entire region whose goal is to create a path to sustainable peace.

Maja Sever re-elected as President of the EFJ, Rexha on the Board (KoSSev)

KoSSev reported that at the Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) in Budapest, Croatian journalist and president of the Croatian Journalists' Union, Maja Sever, received support to remain at the helm of this association for the next term. Seven candidates were elected as members of the committee, including the president of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK), Xhemajl Rexha.

The European Federation adopted a resolution expressing concern over attacks on journalists in Serbia (KoSSev)

The General Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists in Budapest yesterday adopted a resolution expressing serious concern about the increasingly frequent attacks, threats, and pressures on journalists in Serbia. The resolution was proposed by the Independent Association of Journalists of Serbia (NUNS) and the Branch Union of Culture, Arts and Media "Nezavisnost".

The document points out that 166 cases of attacks and pressure on journalists were recorded in 2024, while 128 were already registered in the first five months of 2025. Numerous physical attacks, cases of digital surveillance and the passivity of the police, who often remove journalists from the field instead of attackers, are particularly emphasized.

The EFJ pointed to chronic impunity – out of 62 cases from 2024, by March 2025, only one had ended in a conviction, while one had been resolved through deferred prosecution. Out of a total of 598 cases of assaults and threats registered since 2016, only 16% resulted in a verdict, while in 19% of cases the perpetrator was never identified.

Vucic guided by state interests, not party interests; elections when the institutions decide (Tanjug, N1, RTS)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said last night that he was guided by the interests of the state, not party interests, and that therefore the extraordinary elections will be held when the competent institutions decide.

The “Color Revolution” has reached a dead end for many reasons, President Aleksandar Vucic said among other things in a public address. He said that SSP Vice President Marinika Tepic made up the story that he was dealing drugs with Filip Korac, claiming that neither he nor anyone from his family had or used the Sky app. The President showed an original picture of the Colombian president, identical to those on the drug packages seized in Tahiti. Commenting on the students' demands for early elections, he said that they would be held when the time came, reported RTS.

On Tuesday, Tepic released a portion of what she says was evidence previously provided by French police to Serbia’s Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime, pointing to connections between top state officials and drug trafficking, reported N1. Serbia’s Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and the Interior Ministry on Tuesday issued strong denials in response to claims made by opposition MP Marinika Tepic.

Vucic stated that it is up to ''us to carry out reforms that are good for our country, and it is up to the EU whether it will accept us or not'', and added that Serbia would fulfill its obligations, but that it remained to be seen whether they would fulfill theirs. He added that ''it will not be the first time that they have not fulfilled what they promised. I will not remind you of the Brussels Agreement from 2013".

N1 reported that Vucic said, commenting on EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos' statement that his trip to Moscow complicated Serbia's path to the EU, that "she repeats it, like a parrot, every time. Seems she has nothing else to say. Whatever anyone would ask her in the past ten days, she'd say - 'oh, Vucic went to Moscow' - c'mon, really, can't you say anything else, for crying out loud? But when she meets with me, she's not quite so eloquent. Her vocabulary becomes less rich".

Brnabic: Plan to open Cluster 3 by end-July ambitious but feasible (Tanjug, RTS)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Tuesday her meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos in Brussels had addressed what Serbia needed to do to open Cluster 3 in its EU accession talks and noted that there was a possibility of that taking place by end-July, reported Tanjug.

"With Commissioner Marta Kos, we confirmed our plan - to try to get everything done by mid-July so that they can perhaps open Cluster 3 at the end of July. That is an ambitious plan, but that is what we want and what we certainly think we can do," Brnabic told reporters after the meeting.

She said reforms, election of the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media, ODIHR recommendations and media laws had also been discussed.

Brnabic noted that Serbian Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starovic had also attended the meeting.

"So, he, too, was able to get, in more detail, into all that is important for the next annual progress report," Brnabic added.