In recent months, some media outlets have speculated about the possibility of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from NATO’s mission in Kosovo (KFOR), raising concerns about regional stability.
These reports gained momentum following Donald Trump’s return to leadership in the United States.
In a recent interview, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska dismissed these claims, calling them untrue. She emphasized the Alliance’s unwavering commitment to peace and security in Kosovo.
“There have been such claims, but they have proven to be false. It is important that the Alliance has demonstrated its commitment to the mission, and allies have recently deployed additional troops. No one should doubt the Alliance’s commitment and determination. We recently visited KFOR—the NATO Secretary General, myself, and all North Atlantic Council members—which is a clear sign of the Alliance’s dedication and interest in further supporting dialogue, a peaceful resolution, and regional stability,” Sekerinska stated.
She added that despite the troubling rhetoric and recent tensions, NATO has strengthened its presence on the ground, especially in northern Kosovo, to ensure stability and to encourage political dialogue as the only path toward resolving issues.
On February 19, 2025, the German outlet “Bild” published an article titled, “Europe in Fear! Intelligence Agencies Fear U.S. Troop Withdrawal.” In the article, Bild wrote that “according to BILD’s information, Italy is also preparing for a possible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Kosovo. In that case, European allies would be left alone in the Balkans against Putin’s friend, Aleksandar Vucic, and his powerful Serbian army.”
Another outlet that reported on a possible U.S. troop withdrawal was Türkiye Today, which, in a February 20, 2025 article, analyzed the potential consequences such a move could have for the Balkans. The article suggested that such a withdrawal could increase Russia’s influence in the region and create a security vacuum.
These reports have also been dismissed by Kosovo officials. On February 25, 2025, Kosovo’s Ministry of Defense labeled the claims as unfounded and emphasized that the U.S. continues to play a fundamental role in the region.
Media in Serbia and Russia have long built a coordinated anti-NATO and anti-Kosovo narrative, seizing every opportunity to inflame tensions and portray Kosovo as a failed state while depicting NATO as a destabilizing actor in the Balkans.
Speculation about a possible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Kosovo lacks any factual basis. Official statements from NATO and Kosovo’s institutions reaffirm the Alliance’s continued commitment to stability and security in the region.
Following Serbia’s withdrawal from Kosovo in June 1999, NATO deployed its peacekeeping mission, KFOR. The United States has played a key role in Kosovo’s liberation and in maintaining peace through its base in Bondsteel.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”
