Former U.S. envoy Richard Grenell has harshly criticized Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, accusing her of deliberately manipulating former President Donald Trump’s words. Osmani had recently claimed that Trump helped prevent a conflict between Kosovo and Serbia “in recent weeks.”
Grenell dismissed the statement as completely false, clarifying that Trump made no such claim referring to recent events. According to Grenell, Trump’s references to peace efforts strictly pertain to the 2020 Washington Agreement signed in the Oval Office – not any new developments.
“Shame on Vjosa Osmani for manipulating President Donald Trump’s words. Trump was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the Washington Agreement signed in 2020. Osmani was not part of that agreement. To suggest there was something new is simply absurd,” Grenell wrote on “X.”
This public clash comes amid ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia and renewed international focus on diplomatic initiatives in the region.
Grenell’s statement highlights a persistent effort to defend the legacy of Trump’s foreign policy in the Balkans, particularly regarding the Kosovo-Serbia normalization process. Accusing Osmani of manipulation reflects not only a rhetorical clash but a deeper narrative divide between the current approach of Kosovo’s leadership and the one established under Trump’s administration.
While Osmani may have intended to reinforce Kosovo’s bond with the U.S., her remarks triggered backlash from Trump-aligned figures eager to preserve credit for past accomplishments. This situation underscores how diplomatic language in the Balkans remains fragile – often used as a tool for domestic legitimacy and international alignment.