NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated that the Alliance will not allow the creation of a security vacuum in the Western Balkans region, emphasizing that the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo will remain “strong and mission-ready.”

Speaking about North Macedonia’s role within the Alliance during today’s visit to Skopje, Rutte said that stability in the Western Balkans is of strategic importance to NATO.

He thanked the official authorities in Skopje for their contribution to the KFOR mission in Kosovo, stressing that this mission “continues to play a fundamental role in supporting lasting security, for the benefit of all people living in Kosovo.”

“We will continue to ensure that KFOR remains strong and capable of fulfilling its mission,” he said, adding that cooperation among Allies is essential for shared security.

The KFOR mission was deployed to Kosovo in June 1999, following the end of the war, with the aim of creating a safe environment and preventing a return to violence. It remains NATO’s longest-running operation and one of its largest active missions.

Initially, the multinational force numbered over 50,000 troops, whereas today it consists of around 4,700 soldiers. Approximately 590 of them are from the United States.

Rutte’s statements come at a time when, in recent months, discussions have increased about the possibility of reviewing U.S. engagement in NATO’s external missions, including Kosovo.

However, the Pentagon has said that there is no announcement regarding any change in the deployment of forces within KFOR.

In Kosovo, KFOR continues to be responsible for security along the land border with Serbia and for ensuring a safe and secure environment, particularly in the north of the country, where tensions remain due to Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence.