US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said it is questionable whether the US can count on Kosovo Prime Minster Albin Kurti as a partner, and added that he does not remember such deep divisions between Pristina and Washington.

In an interview with Voice of America (VoA) Hill said Serbia is a constructive partner in the current crisis in Kosovo, but that it is expected to recognize Kosovo documents and not stand in the way of Pristina’s membership in international organizations.

Commenting the situation in Kosovo, Hill said the US has a problem with Kurti and does not know whether it can count on him as a partner.

I will leave this decision to our Embassy in Pristina, said the Ambassador, adding that easing of tensions in Kosovo is essential.

He said there is de-escalation on the Serbian side and expectations by the European Union (EU) and US for Kosovo to take a step in this direction.

The Ambassador stressed it was important for the Kosovo special police to withdraw from municipal buildings in northern Kosovo, and for the mayors to leave these buildings.

He said new elections are a difficult question and that the Serbian side has clearly said that the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) is important, which is still a problem for Kurti “because everyone else understands it is necessary.”

The Ambassador stressed that the US is counting on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic as a good partner in the process, adding he hopes this will continue.

We would like him to do all he can to de-escalate the situation, and we see that he is already implementing this, which is very positive, said Ambassador Hill.

There is understanding with the Serbian authorities on how to go forward, to do things together, said Hill.