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Bolton: Serbia may recognize Kosovo under Trump Administration

John Bolton

Donald Trump's return to power, his approach to the region and Kosovo in particular, his willingness to lead towards a final solution between Pristina and Belgrade, or the possibility of bringing the idea of ​​border correction back to the table. Trump's former national security advisor in his first term, John Bolton, has spoken out on all these issues.

According to him, mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia under the Trump Administration is possible. 

"I think that's possible. If he saw this as something he could take credit for, I think he would pay attention to it right away. This is a very complex problem and this doesn't usually appeal to him, but I think he will be drawn away from security issues in Eastern Europe in general because of the war in Ukraine... It's a good moment to resolve as many old disputes as possible," he told A2CNN.

Bolton also mentioned border correction, which he said was previously suggested by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, but which did not work. 

Asked if it would have worked as a solution now, he said that it would require political determination from both sides. 

“I myself have been involved, with the suggestion of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to correct the borders to see what could be achieved. We were optimistic, but unfortunately it did not work. Because of the history in this region, we have to approach it with open eyes. As I said, I do not think that applying pressure will work, and when independent actors or, even worse, people acting in the service of governments to cause violence, it will only make it much more difficult to resolve the situation. Of course, any territorial adjustment must have the full consent of both parties, Serbia and Kosovo. If one side accepts and the other does not, then you have no agreement. This is difficult. It requires political determination from both sides and has caused concern in other parts of the Balkans. Some say that if there is a territorial adjustment between Serbia and Kosovo, there may be in other areas as well. I do not think that this is a legitimate concern. As I said, each party must agree before territorial adjustments can take place. "And just because it happens between Serbia and Kosovo doesn't mean it has to happen somewhere else. So I think it's quite difficult to reach an agreement just between Serbia and Kosovo, without involving the whole Balkans and making things more complicated," he said. 

Bolton further said that Trump may see this proposal as a possibility to return to the table.

"I think that, given his familiarity with this issue at the end of his first term, he may see this as an opportunity; now that he has just been inaugurated, it may give him new credibility. He is not near the end of his term, but he is at the beginning of it. Therefore, I think that if he gets involved, the possibilities for a solution are greater. If he does not get involved, then, of course, the uncertainty will continue," he said.