“As the envoy for Kosovo-Serbia in the Trump administration, Mr. Grenell trivialized the complex political issues between Kosovo and Serbia and sought to claim quick credit for resolving the so-called ‘ancient animosities’ right in time for Trump’s 2020 campaign speeches,” said Majda Ruge, a fellow at the European Council for Foreign Relations focused on the region.
“In that sense, he was a foreign policy trophy-seeking missile, rather than your traditional diplomat who understands the issues at hand. He cared less about the content of the deal than being able to claim foreign policy success,” she added.
Grenell’s involvement in the region was a less lauded — and less successful — component of the Trump administration’s wider push to resolve historic disputes, which included a push to improve relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, known as the Trump Peace Plan or the Abraham Accords.
While Grenell managed the Balkan part of the plan, Kushner handled the Middle East. Both efforts include financial incentives to sign agreements from the U.S. government, including private sector loans managed by the newly formed U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
During Trump’s presidency, the DFC was led by Adam Boehler, Kushner’s former college roommate. In 2020, Boehler held a press conference in Belgrade with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to announce the opening of a local office in the city. They also discussed using DFC funds to invest in the Yugoslav army building.
Grenell, who remains a close Trump ally, has been whispered about as a potential secretary of State if the former U.S. president returns to the White House. As he jetted in and out of the region in the years since leaving office, Grenell frequently shared his opinions on Balkan affairs on X, posting videos of himself at late-night parties in packed Belgrade clubs, arm-in-arm with Serbian Minister of Finance Siniša Mali — the signatory of the DFC deal between the U.S. and Serbia governing the investment bank’s activities in the country.
This article was originally published by a www.politico.eu . Read the Original article here. .