UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani has working dinner with Barduani, discuss security issues (media)
Osmani: Clar’s determination and leadership contributed to our freedom (media)
PDK’s Citaku welcomes Rubio’s appointment as Secretary of State (media)
Alickaj: Rubio’s appointment, guarantee the U.S. will be impartial (Koha)
Gervalla and Blitt talk about advancement of Kosovo-Canada cooperation (RTK)
Clark: Serbia must recognize Kosovo; Trump will make right decisions (media)
Kurti on new clinics: Citizens no longer have to go abroad for treatment (Koha)
PLE strongly condemns attack in Ferizaj where four people were stabbed (Klan)
Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians objects use of RAE acronym (EO)
Kosovo will appear independent in German banks (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Schools, health care system pillar of Serbs' survival in Kosovo (Tanjug, RTS)
Guerot: To send the EU draft of the A/CSM to the Constitutional Court, unilateral closure of parallel institutions contrary to agreements (Kosovo Online)
Mariani: Pristina under EU protection systematically harasses Serbs (Kosovo Online)
Arsenijevic on Kosovo police trust-building campaign: In order to gain trust, they should first prosecute their own colleagues (KoSSev)
Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic extended for two more months (Radio KIM)
Mitrovica North municipality takes over another public garage (KoSSev)
Djuric congratulated Rubio on nomination for next US state secretary (Tanjug)

Opinion:

No truce, no reconciliation (Politika, KiM radio)
Trump’s return will help Serbia’s elites, not its people (BIRN)

International:

Kosovo, Serbia actors give ancient play on women’s suffering modern slant (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani has working dinner with Barduani, discuss security issues (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Wednesday for a working dinner with KFOR Commander, Major General Enrico Barduani, with whom she discussed the security issues in Kosovo. “At the meeting, President Osmani underlined the continuous commitment to a safe and stable Kosovo, as a prerequisite for development and prosperity, reconfirming the importance of coordination between the institutions of Kosovo and international partners on security issues, aiming the protection of all our citizens and the protection of the country’s sovereignty. In this line, President Osmani continues to undertake regular meetings with the KFOR commander, with the aim of expansion of cooperation with security partners, especially with NATO. President Osmani expressed her gratitude to KFOR, which has increased the number of troops supporting Kosovo’s institutions in patrolling the border with Serbia. Madam President re-emphasized the dangers that come from Serbia’s destabilising tactics, especially due to Serbia’s lack of responsibility, both for the act of aggression in September 2023 and for the attacks on KFOR in May 2023. President Osmani and Commander Barduani affirmed during the meeting their joint engagement to maintain a safe environment for all citizens, acknowledging that cooperation and mutual trust are the basis for lasting peace and stability,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.

Osmani: Clar’s determination and leadership contributed to our freedom (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani received General Wesley K. Clark, the former supreme commander of NATO for Europe, who led NATO's intervention in 1999. "Your determination and leadership contributed to the freedom of Kosovo, ensuring a future where dignity prevails over fear and oppression," Osmani said.

In the meeting with Clark, she spoke about Kosovo's progress over the years, noting the continuous work to strengthen Kosovo's international position, as well as its membership in international organisations. According to Osmani, the future of Kosovo is clear in the goal of Euro-Atlantic integration and stable partnership with the United States of America.

PDK’s Citaku welcomes Rubio’s appointment as Secretary of State (media)

Kosovo’s former ambassador to the United States and senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Vlora Citaku welcomed the appointment of Marco Rubio as the new U.S. Secretary of State. “In my modest lifespan as a politician and diplomat, I have met hundreds of world leaders and delegations. Senator Marco Rubio, in my book, stands out as one of the most prepared, meticulous, well briefed. Great choice,” Citaku wrote in a post on X.

Alickaj: Rubio’s appointment, guarantee the U.S. will be impartial (Koha)

Agim Alickaj, member of the Board of the Albanian-American League, said in an interview with KTV on Wednesday, that he is confident that things will go well for Albanians and Kosovo with the new U.S. administration. He said that during Trump’s mandate “membership in NATO and recognition from the five non-recognizing [EU] member states” could be expected.

Alickaj welcomed the appointment of Marco Rubio as the new U.S. Secretary of State saying that he is very familiar with Kosovo. “This is great news for two reasons because Rubio is a senator with a lengthy experience and is informed about the genocide in Kosovo, the reasons behind the bombing of Serbia, he knows all processes and he is very well informed. So far, he has been on our side, and we expect he will follow Trump’s policy … Marco Rubio as Secretary of State is a guarantee that the U.S. will be impartial. I believe we will have him on our side,” he said.

Gervalla and Blitt talk about advancement of Kosovo-Canada cooperation (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, met the non-resident ambassador of Canada in Kosovo, Jessica Blitt. They discussed diplomatic relations, security challenges in the region and Canada's supporting role for peace and stability in the Balkans.

According to the announcement, strategic investments and joint projects in the economic, cultural and security sectors were assessed as concrete opportunities to further advance the cooperation, with Kosovo’s emigration as a guarantee for strong relations between Kosovo and Canada.

Clark: Serbia must recognize Kosovo; Trump will make right decisions (media)

Several news websites cover an interview that retired U.S. general Wesley Clark gave to Tirana-based ABC News on Wednesday, highlighting his remark that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will make the right decisions about the Western Balkans and that Serbia must recognize Kosovo.

“Serbia needs to accept the facts; and the facts are that there were crimes and killings in Kosovo during the Milosevic regime … Serbia must recognize Kosovo and accept a future without Kosovo. Why shouldn’t they have good relations, tourism and trade with each other. The past is gone,” he said.

Clark, who served as NATO Supreme Commander during the war in Kosovo, also talked about the military operation to stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. “I am very happy that we were successful in bringing peace and democracy to Kosovo … I am proud of the people in this region that have done an outstanding job,” he said.

Kurti on new clinics: Citizens no longer have to go abroad for treatment (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that with the construction of the Clinic of Nephrology and the Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, people from Kosovo will no longer need to think about getting medical treatment abroad. Kurti, who visited the ongoing construction work together with Health Minister Arben Vitia, said that initially it was believed that the construction would take 36 months but that the company now says that the clinics could be finished in 24 months. Kurti also said the project totals at €4.3 million and will offer the highest healthcare services for the treatment of patients. “Patients will have access to new healthcare services which were not available in our country until now. This is the biggest leap we are making in terms of investments in healthcare,” he said.

PLE strongly condemns attack in Ferizaj where four people were stabbed (Klan)

The Egyptian Liberal Party, which represents the Ashkali community in Kosovo, strongly condemned the attack in Ferizaj where a person stabbed four people, members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community. “The Egyptian Liberal Party expresses deep concern about the case especially after the Basic Prosecution in Ferizaj said that the aggressor committed the offence because of the ethnicity [of the victims],” the party said in a statement. “The situation is even worse because two of the four wounded are children, and this creates insecurity in the daily lives of our children. Kosovo’s authorities must urgently take a strong stance and ensure that laws are implemented with guarantees for the human rights of all people regardless of their ethnic background. Racism has no place in our Kosovar society; therefore, the state is obliged to take all legal measures and make sure that justice is served for every case whenever and wherever it takes place”.

Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians objects use of RAE acronym (EO)

The organisation "Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians" has requested to avoid the use of the term "RAE" in reports related to the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, emphasising that each of these communities has its own identity, history and culture. Their reaction comes after reports regarding the case of stabbings in Ferizaj on Monday, where the four victims were from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.

This organisation says that the use of special names of these communities helps to reduce discrimination and stereotypes. "Regarding this case, and all the cases that you will handle regarding the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, we ask you to consider sensitivity and care in the use of terms. In particular, we ask you to avoid using the term "RAE" in your writings and pronouncements, since each of these communities has its own identity, history and culture", says the reaction.

Kosovo will appear independent in German banks (media)

Faruk Ajeti, ambassador of Kosovo in Germany, has announced that on the platforms of 699 German banks, Kosovo will appear as an independent state. Ajeti said that the mistake of including Kosovo as part of Serbia in the platforms of "Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken" will no longer exist, thanks to the massive reaction and diplomatic commitment.

"The process of updating all banking systems of these "Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken" institutions, where the Republic of Kosovo will appear as an independent state, will last several months and will be entirely completed by April 2025," he said.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: Schools, health care system pillar of Serbs' survival in Kosovo (Tanjug, RTS)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said on Thursday “Pristina's PM Albin Kurti had begun closing down Serb schools in Kosovo and Metohija with the aim of expelling the Serbs from the province”, adding that he had informed international representatives of the arrest of the principal of a primary school in Gojbulja, Tanjug news agency reported. Petkovic told Serbian public broadcaster RTS that principal had been stopped by Kosovo police at the Brnjak administrative crossing and taken to a police station in the south of Mitrovica following interrogation.

"The reason was that the school's seals had been found in his car. The 'Kosovo police' have been arresting Serbs almost on a daily basis, but this is about something else - to them, he is guilty of being the principal of a Serb primary school in Gojbulja”, Petkovic said.

If Kurti closes down Serb schools in Kosovo that will be the "end of everything" and it will mean that there is no dialogue either, he said. Schools and the health care system, besides the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbia as a state, are the fundamental pillar and the foundation of the Serbs' survival in Kosovo, he noted.

He said he had informed the EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak of the arrest and added that he had written strongly worded letters to the Quint and EU member states, noting that the arrest was the most direct violation of the Brussels Agreement. "Even though the Pristina authorities and (Pristina's chief negotiator Besnik) Bislimi himself have confirmed clearly on several occasions that they would not touch the education and health care systems in Kosovo and Metohija or shut down other Serbian institutions, ten provisional authorities, municipalities in the Serbian system, have already been closed", Petkovic said.

Guerot: To send the EU draft of the A/CSM to the Constitutional Court, unilateral closure of parallel institutions contrary to agreements (Kosovo Online)

French Ambassador in Pristina Olivier Guerot talked to Kosovo Online about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the A/SCM, situation in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and local elections, but also the main bridge on the Ibar and the role of France.

When asked how he would evaluate the current relations between France and Kosovo, Guerot points out that nothing has changed in "Paris's firm and decisive support to the independence and sovereignty of Kosovo", reported the portal.

"The return of France to KFOR testifies to our commitment to the stability of the region, and especially Kosovo. We have regular high-level contacts with President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti, who recently visited Paris for a bilateral economic forum and where he had a meeting with Mr. Benjamin Haddad, Deputy Minister for Europe. France has just opened a Cultural Institute in Pristina, which will work not only in Pristina, but in the entire territory of Kosovo. AFD (French Development Agency) works with the government to support some key development projects for the country and its European integration; I hope that it will materialise soon. Relations between France and the Republic of Kosovo are good and growing, regardless of the differences we have when it comes to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, with the mediation of the EU".

Kosovo recently allowed the import of Serbian goods, but only through Merdare, which is why very few trucks pass through. What should be done to keep all crossings open?

"We welcome the decision of the GoK to allow the import of Serbian goods through the Merdare border crossing. The situation at the border is not entirely satisfactory, due to increased security controls that cause long waits at the border. More crossing points should be opened and all obstacles, including non-customs barriers, should be removed, or mitigated, in accordance with Kosovo's obligations in CEFTA. Creating an integrated regional market is the best way for regional economies to prepare for their European integration.''

You have stated on several occasions that you are against unilateral moves directed against the Serbian community; however, the GoK continues with the same. What can the international community do to help the Serbian community in Kosovo?

''At every opportunity, we remind you of our preoccupation with the unilateral moves of the Kosovo Government, encouraging positive moves that would help progress on the road to the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and enable Kosovo's progress on the road to European integration. We particularly emphasise the importance of Kosovo sending the European draft statute of the Community of Serbian Majority Municipalities for consideration by the Constitutional Court. With our colleagues from Quint, and the EU, we are particularly cautious regarding possible new unilateral moves with potentially serious impacts on the Serbian population, especially in the areas of health and education.''

The dialogue appears to be at a standstill. What should Kosovo and Serbia do to restart the dialogue?

''In a very uncertain international context, which is characterised by the continuation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and deeply threatened stability in the Middle East, the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia remains a challenge of the first plan and a matter of European security. France strongly supports European mediation efforts. Both parties should as soon as possible implement the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Annex. These agreements are legally binding, and their implementation is included in Chapter 35 of the accession negotiations with Serbia, as well as in the implementation of the Kosovo Association and Stabilization Agreement, and their implementation will be decisive for the European integration of both Serbia and Kosovo''.

''When it comes to Kosovo, the French president has reminded several times that they expect the Kosovo Government to send the EU drafted statute of the A/CSM for consideration by the Constitutional Court. According to the Brussels Agreements of 2013 and 2015, the creation of the A/CSM was aimed at integrating Serbian parallel structures into the legal framework of Kosovo. Unfortunately, it has not yet been created, and the unilateral closure of parallel structures is contrary to these agreements''.

''When it comes to Serbia, during the meeting with President Vucic, the French president repeatedly reminded that the perpetrators of the attack on Banjska should be brought to justice, including Milan Radoicic. Serbia should also implement its obligations within the dialogue''.

What is your position regarding the opening of the main bridge on the Ibar?

''The bridge is open to pedestrians. Everyday people cross the bridge, in both directions. The question is whether it is necessary, or beneficial or supported by the population, to open it to vehicle traffic. In order to prevent security risks, the eventual opening of the Ibar bridge to cars should be discussed within the EU-mediated dialogue, as has been the case so far, taking into account the EULEX and KFOR security assessment''.

In order to calm the situation in the north of Kosovo, is it necessary for Serbs to return to institutions as soon as possible, but also for Serbs to return to KP in the north, and in what way do you think it would be best to do that?

''The decision to collectively resign from all institutions in the north proved to be harmful not only for the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, but also for the Serbian population itself. Likewise, the boycott of the elections in 2023 and 2024 led to further stagnation, and we cannot help but regret it. Nevertheless, it is a positive step that Serbia called for the participation of Kosovo Serbs in the elections in Kosovo and their reintegration into all Kosovo institutions that they left in 2022. We now expect Kosovo to enable their reintegration in accordance with the agreements from the dialogue and respect its own legal framework. We especially encourage the Kosovo Government to continue recruiting Serbian cadets into the police and they should not be discouraged in any way. We encourage all Kosovo Serb citizens to apply for announced positions or to return to institutions if they can within the current regulatory framework. We encourage the government to do everything in its power to ensure a proportional composition of the public administration, which is currently not the case. We look forward to new local elections, as soon as possible, so that even the Serbian citizens of Kosovo in the four northern municipalities can enjoy fully legitimate local government''.

Numerous Serbian non-governmental organisations have expressed dissatisfaction with the work of certain international institutions in Kosovo, that is, with the lack of protection of the Serbian community. How do you look at it?

''EULEX has our full support. EULEX performs its monitoring mission to our satisfaction, given its mandate and resources. While we understand the frustration of some, we believe in cooperation between international missions, including EULEX, and all stakeholders''.

Mariani: Pristina under EU protection systematically harasses Serbs (Kosovo Online)

“The authorities in Pristina, protected by the European Union, continue to systematically harass Serbs in Kosovo,” French MEP from the "Patriots for Europe" Thierry Mariani said at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, reported Kosovo Online yesterday.

He stressed that “Albin Kurti continues to carry out ethnic cleansing” against the Serbian population.

He pointed out that there is general repression, and that 15 percent of Serbs left Kosovo over the past year.

Mariani reminded that the use of the dinar was prohibited, which threatens the payment of salaries and pensions, and that the ethnic composition of the police is almost exclusively Albanian.

He warned that “the 880 million euros announced by the EU for Kosovo will be used for additional repression against Serbs”.

Arsenijevic on Kosovo police trust-building campaign: In order to gain trust, they should first prosecute their own colleagues (KoSSev)

For the second day in a row, Kosovo police carried out a trust-building campaign at the end of Mitrovica North promenade, near the main Ibar River bridge, KoSSev portal reports.

Today, Serbian Democracy headed with its leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic staged a symbolic action, by placing the banner with the photos of Kosovo police officers, showing them posing with Albanian national symbols mainly. Kosovo police said yesterday they started a campaign aiming to “increase the trust of citizens in this institution”. Police also hand over promo material and flyers. As KoSSev portal reporter on the ground reported, only Albanian residents are taking the promo materials.

Arsenijevic: If they want to have better contact with residents, they should first prosecute their colleagues

Serbian Democracy, placed the banner with photos of Kosovo police officers showing mainly Albanian national symbols. It is the same banner, members of Serbian Democracy displayed in Pristina while protesting in front of the premise where the EULEX report on Kosovo judiciary system was presented.

Arsenijevic also commented on the campaign that Kosovo police is having in Mitrovica North. According to him, if police want residents to have trust in it, “first thing they should do is to prosecute police officers” who are on the photos on the banner they displayed.

“So things like this do not happen any more. We are here, in principle, to help police establish better contact with citizens, to show them the way how it should be done, not like this one. Not in their way. The fact that they are distributing some political pamphlets and others does not mean we will forget about our beaten up co-citizens”, Arsenijevic said.

Addressing the journalists, Arsenijevic pointed to the banner and said “you see here national symbols as well, which violate the principles of multiethnicity and Kosovo Constitution articles”. Arsenijevic added he believes there are those among Kosovo police officers who want to gain people’s trust but that would not be possible as long as some police officers post photos as these ones on social media.

“So I think they should first renounce those people, their colleagues who act this way, and only then they should try promotion with the citizens, in a manner to demonstrate that they are civic, and not Albanian-nationalistic and political police”, Arsenijevic said.

Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic extended for two more months (Radio KIM)

Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic, accused of allegedly committing war crimes, has been extended for two more months, his lawyer, Dejan Vasic, told Radio KIM.

Vasic added that upon the change in judicial panel on October 3, the defence tried to summarise the case of Trajkovic and informed the panel of his health condition, family situation and arguments pointing out that the detention measure should be commuted.

He also said that the number of witnesses interviewed in relation to some serious events from his indictment showed that they were not telling the truth, the defence pointed out. “There are less serious parts of the indictment, we spoke of his family situation, we offered the bail, also that family was ready to be indebted and place their family home under mortgage, absolutely everything so that Sladjan is allowed to be free pending the trial, primarily because of his health condition”, Vasic said.

Vasic said that bail has been rejected, same as all other arguments for Trajkovic’s release from detention. “I will file an appeal. I just received the decision, and I would love to read in what manner the court rejected it or if they at all elaborated why they do not agree with my request”, Vasic said.

December 15, this year will mark two years since Sladjan Trajkovic has been detained, Radio KIM recalled.

Mitrovica North municipality takes over another public garage (KoSSev)

Mitrovica North took over another public garage in this town, KoSSev portal reported. “Yes, the municipality took over this public parking the day before yesterday, and then we directed drivers to park at that garage. The parking there is free, for now”, Kosovo police deputy commander for the region North Veton Elshani told KoSSev. Previously, Mitrovica North municipality took over Filip Visnjic public garage, located behind NIS gas station and close to the police station.

The portal said they were not able to confirm allegations of the police that the municipality took over these public garages, and what would happen to the employees working there. The chief of Mitrovica North mayor’s cabinet, Visar Syla did not respond to the query portal sent.

Both public garages were reconstructed with the funds of the Republic of Serbia, the portal recalled.

Djuric congratulated Rubio on nomination for next US state secretary (Tanjug)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric yesterday congratulated Marco Rubio on his nomination for the next US secretary of state.

"Congratulations to Senator Marco Rubio on his nomination as the next US Secretary of State. We look forward to building on the strong ties between Serbia and the United States and working together on shared priorities for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Balkans and beyond," Djuric wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Rubio, a Florida senator, for the position yesterday.

Opinion

No truce, no reconciliation (Politika, KiM radio)

By Zivojin Rakocevic

The French ambassador and the deputy German ambassador laid a wreath almost under cover of darkness, reported KiM radio, citing Politika daily.

"I'm asking you to go to Pristina, to see if they have removed our monument," says Olivera Ilic, a Red Cross worker. The monument she is talking about is located in the Orthodox cemetery in Pristina.

"Here lie the remains of Serbian soldiers who died in the wars of 1912-18," it is written on the monument.

Last year, that monument was moved, placed on the side and replaced by a new plaque that reads "To French soldiers who died in Kosovo", and the monument of Austro-Hungarian soldier Anton Doser, from the mountain cannon battery who died in 1915, got to the centre of the memorial, writes Zivojin Rakocevic for Politika daily.

The removal of the monument and adaptation to the new reality in Kosovo was jointly carried out by the French and German ambassadors in Pristina, Olivier Guerot and Jorn Rohde. Their action caused a stormy reaction from families, the Serbian Orthodox Church, politicians, the media, and everyone for whom this cemetery remained as the only connection to the lost city and former life.

For years, from the memorial in Pristina on Armistice Day in the Great War, the French and German ambassadors were sending messages of reconciliation, mutual love, and shared lessons about the happy future of the "independent states of Serbia and Kosovo"; but the move of the Serbian monument was excessive. Under the pressure, it had to be returned to the mound under which lie hundreds of Serbian soldiers who died in the Great War. French soldiers, mostly from African colonies, were buried together with them.

On Monday, everything was shrouded in silence, and the allies did not appear at the Serbian cemetery in Pristina until just before the dark. Only Olivera Ilic lit four candles at "her white marble plaque", and every memorial plaque was incensed.

On Monday, KiM radio addressed the question to the French and German embassies around noon: was Armistice Day marked and was there a joint visit to the cemetery in Pristina?

However, there was no answer for a long time. Only on the French Embassy X account was posted the French Foreign Affairs announcement that "France celebrates the memory of all those who, regardless of nationality, fell for France. Their courage calls us to work for peace, unity, and reconciliation".

Only after 4:00 p.m. did the answer arrive from the French embassy in one sentence: "We have just returned from a small commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony by the French ambassador and the German chargé d'affaires at the cemetery in Pristina."

Half an hour later, KiM radio was referred to the German embassy FB post.

Although they met in the same place for ten years and held ceremonies with wreaths and speeches, no one ever said a single word about the destroyed Serbian cemetery that they passed through and that surrounded them. A bright example of Franco-German reconciliation is always highlighted.

"I went to my dad," says Olivera Ilic. Her father Velimir Simic was buried right next to the memorial from the Great War. He died in the most difficult times in September 1999. They tried to bury him behind the cemetery chapel where his parents and relatives are, but that place was hit by a NATO bomb, so the monuments and remains of his ancestors, grandmother, grandfather, and uncle disappeared forever in a huge black crater.

On Armistice Day, Olivera stands on its edge, plaques with known names from her town scattered around her. "Here is Uncle Milosav, they are Koljensic's. He loved to play with us."

In Pristina, Serbian children no longer play, only the memory of the game remains, and it seems that the reconciliation of France and Germany at our cemetery in Pristina was only part of a game in which a city disappeared, in which there are no allies or friends. There was only silence on Armistice Day, which apparently never happened here.

Trump’s return will help Serbia’s elites, not its people (BIRN)

Opinion piece by Alejandro Esteso Perez.

A second Donald Trump presidency may be good news for Balkan autocrats, starting with Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic – but ordinary people are likely to remain economically exploited and politically manipulated.

Following his crushing victory in the US presidential election earlier this month, Donald Trump is making his comeback. His return to the White House has also aroused speculation about how American foreign policy will be steered from early 2025, when he takes office.

Trump is expected to make a swift turn towards protectionism, isolationism and transactionalism – a move not only hailed by many in his country but also by autocracies around the world.

Incumbent US President Joe Biden’s policy of supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggression, chiefly through financial disbursements and provision of weapons, could change significantly under Trump’s second term in the Oval Office.

In Europe, further indications that the soon-to-be president will revisit the US’s Western Balkans policy are also on the table, which has been described as great news for the region’s illiberals, first and foremostly Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.