References
[1] “Trump Suggests Ukraine Can Win Back All Territory Lost to Russia.” Fox News, September 24, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/video/6380039408112.
[2] Phillips, Morgan. 2025. “Trump Finds New Leverage in Ukraine Fight with Tomahawk Threat and Long-Range Strike Authorization.” Fox News. September 29, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-finds-new-leverage-ukraine-fight-tomahawk-threat-long-range-strike-authorization.
[3] Comerford, Ruth, and Anthony Zurcher. 2025. “Kyiv Can Win All of Ukraine Back from Russia, Trump Says.” BBC News, September 24, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07vm35rryeo.
[4] Pancevski, Bojan, Alexander Ward, and Lara Seligman. 2025. “U.S. to Provide Ukraine With Intelligence for Missile Strikes Deep Inside Russia.” Wall Street Journal, October 1, 2025. https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-to-provide-ukraine-with-intelligence-for-missile-strikes-deep-inside-russia.
[5] Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, “‘There Are No Such Things as Sanctuaries’ — Ukraine Can Conduct Strikes Deep Within Russian Territory, Kellogg Says,” Kyiv Independent, September 29, 2025, https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-can-conduct-strikes-deep-within-russian-territory-kellogg-says/.
[6] Steve Holland, “Vance Says US Considering Tomahawk Missiles for Ukraine,” Reuters, September 29, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/vance-says-us-considering-tomahawk-missiles-ukraine-2025-09-28/.
[7] Marc Santora, “Russia Hammers Kyiv in 12-Hour Drone and Missile Assault,” New York Times, September 28, 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/28/world/europe/ukraine-kyiv-russia-strikes.html.
[8] Tom Balmforth, “Outline Emerges of Putin’s Offer to End His War in Ukraine,” Reuters, August 18, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/china/outline-emerges-putins-offer-end-his-war-ukraine-2025-08-17/.
[9] United Nations Security Council. Resolution 1244 (1999). 1999. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/274488?ln=en&v=pdf.
[10] International Court of Justice. Reply of the United States of America to Questions Posed by Judges Koroma and Cançado Trindade at the Close of the Oral Proceedings. December 22, 2009. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/105152.
[11] Yuliia Dysa, “Ukraine’s Constitution and Territory: Could Kyiv Hand Over Land to Russia?” Reuters, August 18, 2025, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-does-ukraines-constitution-say-about-territorial-changes-2025-08-18/.
[12] Constitution of Ukraine. June 28, 1996. https://rm.coe.int/constitution-of-ukraine/168071f58b.
[13] Guiding Principles of the Contact Group for a Settlement of the Status of Kosovo. Contact Group, October 7, 2005. https://www.esiweb.org/pdf/kosovo_Contact%20Group%20-%20Ten%20Guiding%20principles%20for%20Ahtisaari.pdf.
[14] Bekim Sejdiu and Lulzim Peci, “Comparing the Incomparable: Kosovo’s Independence and the Russian Aggression Against Ukraine.” Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED), August 2022. https://kipred.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Comparing-the-Incomparable-Kosovos-Independence-and-the-Russian-Aggression-against-Ukraine.pdf.
[15] Witold Rodkiewicz. Alaska Summit: A Victory for Putin, Concessions from Trump. Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), August 18, 2025. https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2025-08-18/alaska-summit-a-victory-putin-concessions-trump.
[16] Vladimir Putin. Speech to the Russian Military Contingent of the International Peace-Keeping Force in Kosovo. President of Russia, June 17, 2001. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/21267.
[17] Vladimir Putin. Address by President of the Russian Federation. President of Russia, March 18, 2014. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/20603.
[18] Bojana Barlovac. “Putin Says Kosovo Precedent Justifies Crimea Secession.” Balkan Insight, March 18, 2014. https://balkaninsight.com/2014/03/18/crimea-secession-just-like-kosovo-putin/.
[19] TASS, Russian News Agency. “Putin Cites Precedent of Kosovo in Explaining Recognition of DPR, LPR.” April 26, 2022. https://tass.com/politics/1443661.
[20] Vladimir Putin. Signing of Treaties on Accession of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions to Russia. President of Russia. September 30, 2022. http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/69465.
[21] Jade McGlynn. “Why Putin Keeps Talking About Kosovo.” Foreign Policy, March 3, 2022. https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/03/03/putin-ukraine-russia-nato-kosovo/.
[22] Dean B. Pineles. “How the ‘Kosovo Precedent’ Shaped Putin’s Plan to Invade Ukraine.” Balkan Insight, March 9, 2022. https://balkaninsight.com/2022/03/09/how-the-kosovo-precedent-shaped-putins-plan-to-invade-ukraine/.
[23] The Geopost. “Vucic Meets with the President of Iran and the Chinese Minister, Talks About Cooperation and Propagandizes About the Situation in Kosovo.” September 26, 2024. https://thegeopost.com/en/analysis/vucic-meets-with-the-president-of-iran-and-the-chinese-minister-talks-about-cooperation-and-propagandizes-about-the-situation-in-kosovo/.
[24] K.P. “Vucic Discussed with Maduro the Improvement of Relations Between Serbia and Venezuela.” Sloboden Pečat, August, https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/en/vuchikj-razgovarashe-so-maduro-za-podobruvanje-na-odnosite-megju-srbija-i-venecuela/.
[25] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. “Russia.” https://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/foreign-policy/bilateral-cooperation/russia.
[26] Xinhua. “China, Serbia Decide to Build Community with Shared Future.” Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), May 9, 2024. http://en.cppcc.gov.cn/2024-05/09/c_985473.htm.
[27] “Serbian Media Slam Putin Over Kosovo Statement.” Euronews Albania, April 28, 2022. https://euronews.al/en/serbian-media-slam-putin-over-kosovo-statement/.
[28] TASS, Russian News Agency. “Putin Cites Precedent of Kosovo in Explaining Recognition of DPR, LPR.” April 26, 2022. https://tass.com/politics/1443661.
[29] Zeljko Trkanjec. “Serbian Diplomat Says Putin Recognises Kosovo.” Euractiv, April 28, 2022. https://www.euractiv.com/short_news/serbian-diplomat-says-putin-recognises-kosovo/.
[30] Belgrade was at peak vulnerability to US and EU pressure in February 2022 as the West united over Putin’s massive invasion of Ukraine. Instead of insisting that Serbia – an EU candidate – align with the common EU stance and apply sanctions on Russia, the Biden Administration did the opposite. The US Embassy in Belgrade expressed approval of Serbia’s reaffirmed position supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity. However, Serbia has maintained a contradictory and self-serving approach—voicing rhetorical support for Ukraine’s sovereignty due to the comparison with Kosovo, while simultaneously refusing to participate in EU sanctions against Russia. Within just three months, Vučić finalized a relaxed three-year gas supply agreement with Putin.
[31] TASS, Russian News Agency. “Serbia Not Joining NATO for Obvious Reasons, Says President Vucic.” January 30, 2023. https://tass.com/world/1569049.
[32] Edward P. Joseph. A Way Out of the Balkans Morass: Restoring US and EU Leverage in the Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue. Wilson Center, May 14, 2021. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/way-out-balkans-morass-restoring-us-and-eu-leverage-serbia-kosovo-dialogue.
[33] RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service. “TV Tower in Kyiv Hit as Zelenskiy Again Calls for NATO to Impose No-Fly Zone.” RadioFreeEurope, March 1, 2022. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kharkiv-kyiv-kherson-convoys/31729628.html.
[34] Gordon Lubold, Katherine Doyle, and Courtney Kube. “U.S. Could Take Lead Watching Ukraine Buffer Zone if Peace Deal with Russia Comes Together.” NBC News, September 5, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com.
[35] Kylie Atwood, Haley Britzky, Zachary Cohen, and Isabelle Khurshudyan. “Rubio Doubles Down on Trump Pledge to Back Ukraine Security Guarantees but Says Europe Must Lead.” CNN, August 21, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/21/politics/rubio-trump-ukraine-security-guarantees.
[36] Andrea Shalal and Max Hunder. “US Would Help Assure Ukraine’s Security in a Peace Deal, Trump Tells Zelenskiy.” Reuters, August 19, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-would-help-assure-ukraines-security-peace-deal-trump-tells-zelenskiy-2025-08-19/.
[37] Reporting from Ukraine. “Frontline Report: Serbia’s Big Secret—Shells for Ukraine, Smiles for Moscow.” Euromaidan Press, July 27, 2025. https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/07/27/serbia-arms-ukraine-1-million-rounds/.
[38] William Booth. “Sustained Protests Push Serbia Toward a Defining Choice — Democracy or Drift.” The Washington Post, September 22, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/22/serbia-protests-vucic-government-corruption/.
[39] Julius Lehtinen. “U.S. Election: Europeans Would Vote for Harris if They Could—but There’s a Wide Gulf Between East and West.” Europe Elects, November 4, 2024. https://europeelects.eu/2024/11/04/u-s-election-europeans-would-vote-for-harris-if-they-could/.
[40] Snezana Rakic. “Why Is Support for the US President High in Serbia and What Do We Expect from Him?” Serbian Monitor, January 21, 2025. https://www.serbianmonitor.com/en/why-is-support-for-the-us-president-high-in-serbia-and-what-do-we-expect-from-him/.
[41] Tatyana Kekic. “US Sanctions on Serbian Oil Company NIS Take Effect.” bne Intellinews, October 9, 2025. https://www.intellinews.com/us-sanctions-on-serbian-oil-company-nis-take-effect-405546/.
[42] U.S. Department of the Treasury. “Treasury Intensifies Sanctions Against Russia by Targeting Russia’s Oil Production and Exports.” January 10, 2025. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2777.
[43] Tatyana Kekic. “US Sanctions on Serbian Oil Company NIS Take Effect.” bne Intellinews, October 9, 2025. https://www.intellinews.com/us-sanctions-on-serbian-oil-company-nis-take-effect-405546/?source=croatia.
[44] U.S. Department of the Treasury. “Treasury Intensifies Sanctions Against Russia by Targeting Russia’s Oil Production and Exports.” Press Releases, January 10, 2025. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2777.
[45] North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “Relations with Serbia.” Last updated May 23, 2022. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50100.htm.
[46] North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “Joint Press Conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.” November 21, 2023. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_220213.htm.
[47] North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “NATO Secretary General Meets the President of the Republic of Serbia.” March 19, 2025. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_233876.htm.
[48] Richard R. Verma. “Remarks to the Press with President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia.” US Department of State, January 11, 2025. https://2021-2025.state.gov/deputy-secretary-of-state-for-management-and-resources/releases/2025/01/remarks-to-the-press-with-president-aleksandar-vucic-of-serbia/.
[49] The Washington Post. “Sustained Protests Push Serbia Toward a Defining Choice.” September 22, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/22/serbia-protests-vucic-government-corruption/.
[50] Vivian Salama. “Serbia and Kosovo Sign Economic Normalization Agreement in Oval Office Ceremony.” CNN, September 4, 2020. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/04/politics/serbia-kosovo-agreement.
[51] EEAS Press Team. “Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Agreement on the Path to Normalisation Between Kosovo and Serbia.” European External Action Service, February 27, 2023. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/belgrade-pristina-dialogue-agreement-path-normalisation-between-kosovo-and-serbia_en.
[52] EEAS Press Team. “Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Implementation Annex to the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation of Relations Between Kosovo and Serbia.” European External Action Service, March 18, 2023. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/belgrade-pristina-dialogue-implementation-annex-agreement-path-normalisation-relations-between_en.
[53] Reporters. “Vučić: Dialogue with Kosovo Should Focus on the Association and the Rights of Serbs.” Reporteri.net, August 26, 2025. https://reporteri.net/en/NEWS/rajon/Vucic%3A-Dialogue-with-Kosovo-should-focus-on-association-and-rights-of-Serbs/.
[54] EWB. “EU Denies That a Statute of the Association of the Serb-Majority Municipalities Had Been Made Public.” European Western Balkans, November 13, 2023. https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2023/11/13/eu-denies-that-a-statute-of-the-association-of-the-serb-majority-municipalities-had-been-made-public/.
[55] Xhorxhina Bami and Milica Stojanovic. “Kosovo, Serbia Verbally Agree on ‘Implementation Deal’ to Normalize Ties.” Balkan Insight, March 19, 2023. https://balkaninsight.com/2023/03/19/kosovo-serbia-verbally-agree-on-implementation-deal-to-normalize-ties/.
[56] Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder. “Full Speed, Then Reverse: Trump’s Biggest U-Turns in His First 100 Days.” U.S. News, May 1, 2025. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/trumps-biggest-policy-reversals-so-far.
[57] Guardian staff and agencies. “‘Very Aggressive’: Trump Suggests Montenegro Could Cause World War Three.” The Guardian, July 19, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/19/very-aggressive-trump-suggests-montenegro-could-cause-world-war-three.
[58] A2 CNN. “‘I Stopped It!’ Trump Repeats: Serbia Was Ready to Attack Kosovo.” A2 CNN, August 4, 2025. https://a2news.com/english/rajoni-bota/kosova/politike/une-e-ndalova-trump-perserit-serbia-ishte-gati-te-su-i1154745.
[59] ET Online. “Donald Trump’s Full Speech at UNGA: Here’s Everything the US President Said.” The Economic Times, September 23, 2025. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/donald-trumps-full-speech-at-unga-heres-everything-the-us-president-said/articleshow/124074972.cms.
[60] Nen Si. “Serbia Was About to Clash, but We Ended It,’ Trump: We Worked with Them and with Kosovo.” Euronews Albania, June 25, 2025. https://euronews.al/en/serbia-was-about-to-clash-but-we-ended-it-trump-we-worked-with-them-and-with-kosovo/.
[61] U.S. House of Representatives. Amendment to H.R. 5300 Offered by Mr. Mast of Florida. September 17, 2025. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA00/20250917/118618/BILLS-119-5300-M001199-Amdt-65.pdf.
[62] North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “North Atlantic Council (NAC).” Last updated October 21, 2024. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49763.htm.
[63] Edward P. Joseph. From Crisis to Convergence: A Strategy to Tackle Balkans Instability at Its Source. Wilson Center, January 18, 2022. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/crisis-convergence-strategy-tackle-balkans-instability-its-source.
[64] Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Interview of Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias in the Newspaper ‘Realnews’ with Journalist Giorgos Siadimas (04.07.2021).” July 4, 2021. https://www.mfa.gr/en/interview-of-minister-of-foreign-affairs-nikos-dendias-in-the-newspaper-realnews-with-journalist-giorgos-siadimas-04072021/.