Politics
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Politics · Analysis · Developments
Trump Message to Putin: "Vladimir, STOP!"
United States President Donald J. Trump has reacted strongly to the recent Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kiev. In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump called the attacks “unnecessary” and “very badly timed,” directly calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop them immediately.
“Vladimir, STOP!” Trump wrote in strong tones, further emphasizing: “5,000 soldiers a week are dying.” He concluded the message with a clear appeal: “Let’s finish the Peace Agreement NOW!”
His statement today clearly shows that he continues to position himself as a key figure in ending the conflict. His comments come at a time when fighting has intensified and international concerns about casualties and humanitarian consequences are growing.
“Vladimir, STOP!” Trump wrote in strong tones, further emphasizing: “5,000 soldiers a week are dying.” He concluded the message with a clear appeal: “Let’s finish the Peace Agreement NOW!”
His statement today clearly shows that he continues to position himself as a key figure in ending the conflict. His comments come at a time when fighting has intensified and international concerns about casualties and humanitarian consequences are growing.
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Albulena Haxhiu does not receive enough votes even in her third attempt to become Speaker of the Parliament
The third attempt to elect the speaker of the Kosovo Assembly ended in failure, as the candidate of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albulena Haxhiu, failed to secure the necessary majority of votes. As in previous sessions, Haxhiu received only 57 votes out of 120 deputies, falling short of the 61-vote threshold required to take over the presidency of the Assembly.
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Kosovo Assembly's constitutive session adjourned: Konjufca seeks political agreement
The constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly was adjourned today by Speaker Avni Dehari, following the request of the Vetëvendosje Movement MP, Glauk Konjufca.
Konjufca asked for time and stressed that it is necessary to reach an agreement between political parties on the election of the Speaker of the Assembly, adding that "without a political agreement, the process cannot continue".
The session is expected to continue on Wednesday, while the political parties are expected to engage in intensive negotiations over the coming days to find a solution that would pave the way for the constitution of the institutions.
Konjufca asked for time and stressed that it is necessary to reach an agreement between political parties on the election of the Speaker of the Assembly, adding that "without a political agreement, the process cannot continue".
The session is expected to continue on Wednesday, while the political parties are expected to engage in intensive negotiations over the coming days to find a solution that would pave the way for the constitution of the institutions.
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Four votes away: The decision is expected today on the podium, but has it been made in the corridors?
The Kosovo Assembly will attempt again today, for the fourth time, to elect its speaker in a session that begins at 15:00. In the last meeting on April 19, although the oath-taking procedure was completed, the candidacy for speaker did not receive the necessary votes.
The attempt by the Vetëvendosje Movement to install Albulena Haxhiu as head of the Kosovo Assembly failed, as she failed to secure the necessary majority of votes in either the first or second round of voting. In the first round, Haxhiu received 57 votes in favor, 20 against and 3 abstentions, leaving four votes below the required threshold of 61 votes to be elected.
Even in the second round, the result remained almost unchanged, proving that the lack of support from the opposition continued to be the same. Vetëvendosje, although it emerged as the largest force with 48 mandates, has not managed to secure partners to form a governing coalition or to pass its candidacies in the Assembly.
If today's session also ends unsuccessfully, the institutional crisis could be prolonged with consequences for the functioning of the state. Without the election of the Speaker of the Assembly, the formation of a new government cannot proceed. Another failure could trigger new scenarios, including the calling of early elections.
The attempt by the Vetëvendosje Movement to install Albulena Haxhiu as head of the Kosovo Assembly failed, as she failed to secure the necessary majority of votes in either the first or second round of voting. In the first round, Haxhiu received 57 votes in favor, 20 against and 3 abstentions, leaving four votes below the required threshold of 61 votes to be elected.
Even in the second round, the result remained almost unchanged, proving that the lack of support from the opposition continued to be the same. Vetëvendosje, although it emerged as the largest force with 48 mandates, has not managed to secure partners to form a governing coalition or to pass its candidacies in the Assembly.
If today's session also ends unsuccessfully, the institutional crisis could be prolonged with consequences for the functioning of the state. Without the election of the Speaker of the Assembly, the formation of a new government cannot proceed. Another failure could trigger new scenarios, including the calling of early elections.
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MP Balje positions herself as an opposition member
Bosnian MP Duda Balje has announced that she will move to the opposition, stressing that she does not expect any major changes in political developments as a result of this decision. She has emphasized that she will not be aligned with the Vetëvendosje Movement in the Kosovo Assembly, underlining her independent stance and commitment to representing the interests of the Bosniak community.
Duda Balje, as a representative of the Bosniak community in Kosovo, has had the main request to initiate procedures for the creation of a new municipality with a Bosniak majority, a proposal that does not seem to have found support from Kurti. Her non-participation in the vote for Albulena Haxhiu as Speaker of the Assembly was interpreted as a clear step towards the opposition, at a time when Vetëvendosje is facing difficulties in securing a parliamentary majority.
Duda Balje, as a representative of the Bosniak community in Kosovo, has had the main request to initiate procedures for the creation of a new municipality with a Bosniak majority, a proposal that does not seem to have found support from Kurti. Her non-participation in the vote for Albulena Haxhiu as Speaker of the Assembly was interpreted as a clear step towards the opposition, at a time when Vetëvendosje is facing difficulties in securing a parliamentary majority.
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Albulena Haxhiu does not receive enough votes to become Speaker of the Parliament
The attempt by the Vetëvendosje Movement to install Albulena Haxhiu as head of the Kosovo Assembly failed, as she failed to secure the necessary majority of votes in either the first or second round of voting. In the first round, Haxhiu received 57 votes in favor, 20 against, and 3 abstentions, leaving four votes short of the required 61 votes to be elected. In the second round, the result remained almost unchanged, proving that the lack of support from the opposition continued to be the same.
This development not only exposes the deep fragmentation within the political scene, but also prolongs institutional uncertainty at a critical moment for the functioning of the state. The Assembly session, following the double failure of the vote, is expected to continue in 48 hours, while negotiations behind closed doors are expected to intensify in an attempt to break the current deadlock.
This development not only exposes the deep fragmentation within the political scene, but also prolongs institutional uncertainty at a critical moment for the functioning of the state. The Assembly session, following the double failure of the vote, is expected to continue in 48 hours, while negotiations behind closed doors are expected to intensify in an attempt to break the current deadlock.
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The effort to verify mandates in the Kosovo Assembly continues tomorrow
The Assembly of Kosovo will convene again tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 12:00, in the plenary hall of the Assembly. This session marks the continuation of the constitutive session, which was interrupted earlier due to the lack of agreement regarding the vote on the report on the verification of the mandates of the deputies.
The Chair of the session, Avni Dehari, has confirmed that the meeting will continue after 48 hours, in accordance with the deadline set by the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has also emphasized the need for this session to be held within the specified deadline.
During this session, important issues remaining from previous meetings are expected to be discussed and voted on, including the verification of mandates and the election of the new presidency of the Assembly.
The Chair of the session, Avni Dehari, has confirmed that the meeting will continue after 48 hours, in accordance with the deadline set by the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has also emphasized the need for this session to be held within the specified deadline.
During this session, important issues remaining from previous meetings are expected to be discussed and voted on, including the verification of mandates and the election of the new presidency of the Assembly.
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Egyptian MP: Ready to support the government, even without being part of it
The MP of the Party of Egyptians of Kosovo, Veton Berisha, has stated that he is ready to support any decision that helps the citizens and the state of Kosovo, even if he himself is not part of any governing coalition.
Berisha has stated that the representation of the Egyptian community will not be an obstacle to the development of the country. He stressed that he is committed to general interests, beyond political or ethnic differences.
This statement comes at a time when key topics for the future of the country are being discussed in the Assembly, including legal reforms and strategic decisions. In such cases, the support of non-majority communities is often crucial for reaching consensus.
Berisha has stated that the representation of the Egyptian community will not be an obstacle to the development of the country. He stressed that he is committed to general interests, beyond political or ethnic differences.
This statement comes at a time when key topics for the future of the country are being discussed in the Assembly, including legal reforms and strategic decisions. In such cases, the support of non-majority communities is often crucial for reaching consensus.
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US is losing patience: Rubio signals end to Ukraine peace efforts
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that the United States may soon withdraw from efforts to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine if the situation does not change in the coming days.
During a press conference in Paris on April 18, 2025, Rubio said: “If it is not possible to stop the war in Ukraine, we must move forward,” underlining that it is time to determine whether the negotiations still have real potential for success.
“It is not our war. We did not start it. But we have done everything we can to stop it,” he added, hinting at a possible shift in US foreign policy focus.
Rubio's statements come after several rounds of intensive talks between US, Ukrainian and European Union officials. To reach a ceasefire agreement. However, Russia has rejected a proposal supported by President Trump and the Ukrainian government.
Rubio's comments suggest a possibility that the US could shift its foreign policy focus if a concrete agreement is not reached. The next talks are expected to be held in London next week, and they could be crucial for the future role of the US in the peace process.
During a press conference in Paris on April 18, 2025, Rubio said: “If it is not possible to stop the war in Ukraine, we must move forward,” underlining that it is time to determine whether the negotiations still have real potential for success.
“It is not our war. We did not start it. But we have done everything we can to stop it,” he added, hinting at a possible shift in US foreign policy focus.
Rubio's statements come after several rounds of intensive talks between US, Ukrainian and European Union officials. To reach a ceasefire agreement. However, Russia has rejected a proposal supported by President Trump and the Ukrainian government.
Rubio's comments suggest a possibility that the US could shift its foreign policy focus if a concrete agreement is not reached. The next talks are expected to be held in London next week, and they could be crucial for the future role of the US in the peace process.
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Political impasse in Kosovo: Constituent session fails for the second time
Pristina, April 17, 2025 — The constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly has failed for the second time, deepening the political crisis and raising serious concerns about the functionality of state institutions after the last elections. The lack of an inter-party agreement, as well as tensions over the resignation of the incumbent government and the verification of mandates, caused the proceedings to be interrupted once again without any concrete decision.
Clashes between parties continue to be essential in this deadlock: the opposition accuses the Vetëvendosje Movement of political imposition, while the latter criticizes the opposition for deliberate obstruction. Calls for compromise have not been accompanied by concrete steps, while representatives of the LDK and PDK demand respect for the constitutional order and a comprehensive approach.
Clashes between parties continue to be essential in this deadlock: the opposition accuses the Vetëvendosje Movement of political imposition, while the latter criticizes the opposition for deliberate obstruction. Calls for compromise have not been accompanied by concrete steps, while representatives of the LDK and PDK demand respect for the constitutional order and a comprehensive approach.