Unravelling the setbacks and missed opportunities: Charting the way forward in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

Peace has never been more fragile and the normalisation process between Belgrade and Pristina currently feels like an unattainable goal. The past three years have presented some of the most significant challenges in over a decade of dialogue between the two sides. In Kosovo, the absolute dominance of the ruling party reflects a shift in political attitudes toward negotiations. While this consolidation of power has strengthened the government domestically, it has also led to a more rigid and uncompromising stance in the dialogue with Serbia. This shift is evident in the government’s approach to addressing tensions in northern Kosovo, where policy solutions have increasingly taken a back seat to the use of force and police interventions. In Belgrade, while the government projects an interest in a more constructive approach to the dialogue, there is a growing sense that Serbia is simply buying time. Moreover, the recently unveiled measures Serbia plans to implement in response to events and tensions in northern Kosovo reaffirm its current position, which leaves very little space for compromise with Pristina. The security situation in northern Kosovo has also become a focal point of discussions among EU and U.S. diplomats, who have stressed the urgency of returning to the principles of the Ohrid Agreement and the Brussels dialogue. Revitalizing the dialogue is critical not only for regional stability but also to combat the rising tide of ethno-nationalism, deepening ethnic divisions and manipulative political narratives that have eroded trust in the process. Without a renewed commitment to meaningful negotiations, the peace process will continue to unravel, making any long-term resolution even more distant. What specific measures could help revitalize the stalled dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina? Is there a possibility of a new framework or set of conditions that could break the current deadlock and lead to incremental progress? What are the long-term consequences for both Kosovo and Serbia if the normalization process remains stalled? How effective is this diplomatic pressure, and what more can be done by the international community to ensure both sides re-engage in meaningful negotiations? Could a more active role from the region itself help foster dialogue and encourage compromise between Belgrade and Pristina?