Thewesternbalkans.
According to David J. Kostelancik, former US senior diplomat and military expert, serving as a Senior Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) reports say Washington is considering the withdrawal of US forces from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), sparking pushback in Washington and across Europe.
According to Kostelancik’s analysis, the Trump administration’s internal policy discussions about Kosovo are part of a broader review of global military commitments, which was expected last year but has still not been published. Officials have emphasized the need to allocate resources more efficiently and encourage allies to shoulder greater responsibility for regional security.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated Washington is reassessing overseas deployments to determine where US military assets are most needed. The review reflects a strategic shift to deterrence against major powers and reinforces NATO’s core mission of defending treaty members.
One argument focuses on burden sharing. European nations contribute about 65% of KFOR’s troops (Italy currently supplies the largest number), and US officials believe they should assume a larger share of the remaining responsibilities. Advocates for reducing the US role say European countries have the resources and geographic proximity to manage stability in the Western Balkans.
Yet the possibility of withdrawal has generated notable bipartisan concern in the US Congress. On March 12, a dozen lawmakers from both parties warned Rubio that a premature reduction of US forces could have knock-on effects across the region. Lawmakers wrote in a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, that reports the U.S. is pushing to wind down the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) risks threatening security in the region.
They also warned that a withdrawal could create an opportunity for external powers, particularly Russia, to expand their influence in the Western Balkans.
European allies have expressed similar fears. Officials across NATO say a reduced American presence could embolden nationalist movements in northern Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs maintain close ties to Serbia.
Analysts also warn that instability in Kosovo could spill into neighbours like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where political tensions remain high. For many European governments, the US role in KFOR symbolizes Washington’s long-term commitment to Balkan security.
The US suspended its strategic dialog with Kosovo late last year as a result of actions by Kurti’s government, which it said had “increased tensions and instability.” In a statement on 12 of September 2025 announcing the suspension, the US Embassy in Pristina said Kurti’s actions had “posed challenges to progress made over many years” without giving specific details.
Despite the ongoing debate, NATO officials have downplayed reports of an imminent withdrawal. Spokespeople for KFOR and the alliance said no major changes to the mission are under consideration, and troop levels will continue to be determined by evolving security conditions. Kosovo’s defence ministry also rejected claims that a US withdrawal is imminent.
On the other hand, if the US pulls back from KFOR while demonstrating support for cooperation between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo, allies might still be reassured, and regional troublemakers deterred from exploiting any reduction in US military presence.
At the same time, Germany newspaper Bild published its own analysis intitled “Italy preparing for possible U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Kosovo”. The newspaper reports that Italy is preparing for a potential withdrawal of U.S. troops from Kosovo, a move that could leave European allies alone in the Balkans against Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his powerful military.
According to Bild, security services and politicians across Europe are increasingly concerned about U.S.-Russia negotiations. Reports suggest that discussions could lead to a significant reduction of U.S. military presence across Europe.
Comments: KFOR operates under the authority of NATO and maintains a mandate to ensure a “safe and secure environment” and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. The legal framework for the force was provided by UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which authorized an international security presence after the end of the war.
The US currently contributes about 600 troops to KFOR, a multinational peacekeeping force of between 4,500 and 4,800 personnel, and leads Regional Command East from Camp Bondsteel near the city of Ferizaj. The base, built in 1999, is one of the largest US military installations in Europe and a vital logistics and operations hub for NATO in the region.
US personnel in Kosovo provide a wide range of capabilities, including intelligence, logistics, and command support. They also participate in joint exercises and regular rotations involving US National Guard units, reflecting the mission’s ongoing operational role in maintaining stability and readiness in the region.
Taking mentioned above into account, it is not impossible that President Trump may decide to withdraw his 600 soldiers from Kosovo as a form of punishment towards NATO allies who did not wish to get involved in the U.S. military actions against Iran. This would provide some consistency with the recent threats of the American president, without delving into the more complex issue of the U.S. leaving NATO.
