NATO will curtail its mission in Kosovo due to the improvement of the security situation

NATO has decided to reduce its military presence in Kosovo, where the alliance's peacekeeping mission has been operating since 1999 after the end of the armed conflict in the region. This was reported by Bloomberg on June 12.

"The situation in Kosovo has improved so much in recent years that the size and format of the KFOR peacekeeping force can be gradually adjusted over the next year," the Supreme Headquarters of the United NATO Forces in Europe said in a statement.

The alliance stressed that the reduction of the contingent will occur gradually and, if necessary, can be reviewed in case of increased tension. The Supreme Commander of the NATO Joint Armed Forces in Europe, Alexus Grinkevich, said that NATO and KFOR forces are "fully committed to ensuring security in Kosovo."

The KFOR peacekeeping mission was deployed after the 1998-1999 conflict between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians. Currently, about 5,000 Alliance troops are stationed in Kosovo. NATO also confirmed its continued commitment to ensuring stability in the Western Balkans region, which is strategically important for the organization.

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The Politico newspaper reported in February that the administration of US President Donald Trump is putting pressure on NATO and insisting on reducing the alliance's missions in other countries, including Iraq. According to the newspaper, Washington insists on the withdrawal of the mission from Iraq by September 2026.

In addition, the American side is lobbying for the reduction of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo and opposes the official participation of Ukraine and its Pacific partners — Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea — in the annual summit of the alliance, which will be held in Ankara in July.