U.S. Demands Unconditional Release of Three Detained Kosovo Police Officers

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller (BETAPHOTO/YTPrintScreen)

Washington believed that both, Kosovo and Serbia had to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions, including the unconditional release of the three recently detained Kosovo police officers, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told a press briefing on June 15.

“We believe both parties must follow the three-point plan that has been outlined by the EU without delay. As part of this, as we’ve spoken to before, [Kosovo] Prime Minister [Albin] Kurti and his government must ensure that elected mayors carry out their transitional duties from alternate locations and withdraw police forces from the vicinity. We continue to condemn the unacceptable violence against NATO-led KFOR troops, against law enforcement and journalists,” Miller said at the press briefing.

Miller also said that Washington continued to be engaged both directly with both parties as well as with its partners in the region. “Secretary [Antony] Blinken has had conversations with partners in the region about this. Counselor [Derek]  Chollet has had direct conversations, as have others from the State Department,” Miller added.

Miller, however, declined to preview any potential actions the U.S. could use, including sanctions. “Our focus is making clear our expectations to both parties that they both take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and follow the three-point plan that’s been outlined by the EU,” Miller stressed.