After visiting Sarajevo and Belgrade, the head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, arrived in Pristina. Burns met with Kosovo’s President, Vjosa Osmani, and U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier, though the meeting’s details remain undisclosed. Radio Free Europe initially reported that Burns landed at “Adem Jashari” International Airport in Pristina. 

Burns’ visit follows comments from Ambassador Hovenier, highlighting challenges faced by Washington due to actions by Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government. The U.S. and other Western states have criticized recent decisions by Pristina, such as reopening the bridge over the Ibar River, which was seen as risking the safety of U.S. KFOR soldiers. 

Earlier, Burns visited Sarajevo on August 20th, meeting intelligence officials and discussing concerns over the pro-Russian separatist rhetoric of Republika Srpska’s president, Milorad Dodik. On August 21st, Burns visited Belgrade, though details of this visit were not confirmed. 

Former Commander of the Kosovo Security Forces, Kadri Kastrati, suggested Burns’ visit might be related to concerns over Russian hybrid warfare in the Western Balkans, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina and northern Kosovo. Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia and a key figure in the Biden administration, has been CIA Director since January 2021.