Grenell’s Words Stir Fears of Assassination Plot in Kosovo
Richard Grenell’s escalating rhetoric, Serbian honours, and ties to Balkan power players suggest more than diplomacy, hinting at sinister moves against Kosovo’s PM Albin Kurti.
Richard Grenell, former acting U.S. Director of National Intelligence and prominent figure in the Trump Administration, appears to be making calculated moves that could lend legitimacy to what is widely feared to be an escalating campaign, potentially culminating in an assassination plot—against Kosovo's sitting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.
Grenell’s statement on his 'X'1 account this Monday sets off alarm bells across international diplomatic and security circles:
"The Kurti Government was not trustworthy during Trump’s first term, nor during Biden’s term. Both Republicans and Democrats have criticized Kurti consistently for taking unilateral actions that destabilize the region. So has the EU and NATO. The international community is united against Kurti."
These statements, far from neutral diplomatic commentary, resonate as part of a broader and more sinister pattern that aligns Grenell with actors historically opposed to Kosovo’s democratic integrity. The timing and tone of his message echo the narratives propagated by figures like Ramush Haradinaj, a former Kosovan Prime Minister deeply entrenched in Kosovo’s old guard politics and linked to violent plots against Kurti. The Gunpowder Chronicles' recent investigative report2 highlights Haradinaj’s associations with Prek Kodra, a contract killer implicated in a 2021 assassination attempt on Kurti3, further complicating the political landscape. Grenell’s overtures now seem to lend credence to these destabilising forces.
Grenell’s proximity to Serbian political interests has been well-documented4. In October 2023, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic awarded Grenell5 the "Order of the Serbian Flag," just weeks after Serbia's paramilitary attempt to annex northern Kosovo6 in a manoeuvre reminiscent of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. This honour underscores Grenell’s deep ties to a regime openly hostile to Kurti’s government, which has systematically dismantled Serbia’s parallel structures in Kosovo, curbing Belgrade’s influence in the region.
VIDEO: Richard Grenell, U.S. diplomat and former special envoy to the Balkans during the Trump administration 1, receives "The Order of the Serbian Flag" from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The award ceremony took place just one month after Vucic-backed paramilitary forces, led by Milan Radoicic, attempted to annex northern Kosovo in September 2023, resulting in the death of a Kosovar policeman.
The pattern is clear: Grenell’s rhetoric and actions consistently undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty and reformist leadership. His connections extend beyond Serbia’s political elite into the murky waters of Kremlin-aligned propaganda and disinformation networks operating within Kosovo. Media outlets like Klan Kosova7 and Nacionale8, linked to oligarchic figures such as Berat Buzhala9, a former PDK politician, have amplified narratives aimed at delegitimising Kurti10. These outlets, flagged in the European Parliament’s 2021 disinformation report, echo Kremlin-backed efforts to destabilize Kosovo’s democratic institutions.
Grenell’s alignment with these forces is not coincidental. ProPublica investigations11 have tied him to aiding Moldovan oligarch Vladimir Plahotniuc, a figure sanctioned for corruption and Russian affiliations12. The Washington Post documented his ties to Hungary’s Viktor Orban13, another leader with strong Kremlin backing. According to sources within Western government circles, Grenell is believed to be part of a network of Russian intelligence-linked organised crime figures from former Yugoslav republics, all working to destabilise the region and undermine European institutions of justice.
Haradinaj’s January 2024 meeting with Grenell in Washington, D.C., raises additional red flags. Ostensibly in the U.S. for the White House inauguration, Haradinaj instead met with Grenell at the Trump International Hotel. This covert meeting, occurring just one year after Serbia’s failed annexation attempt, suggests possible coordination in efforts to destabilise or even remove Kurti from power. Upon returning to Kosovo, Haradinaj publicly echoed Grenell’s criticisms, claiming that Kurti is seen in the U.S. as having "suspicious agendas." This narrative, despite Grenell holding no formal role in Trump’s Balkan policy, is being amplified by opposition-aligned media to fabricate the illusion of U.S. disapproval of Kurti’s leadership.
Grenell’s influence over these narratives, combined with his history of undermining reformist leaders, paints a troubling picture. His relentless attacks on the Special Court in The Hague, Prosecutor Jack Smith, and now Kurti, coupled with honours from Serbia, suggest a broader agenda aimed at reshaping the Balkans’ political landscape to favour corrupt and nationalist interests aligned with Moscow. Security experts in London, Berlin, and Washington warn that Grenell’s involvement is not just rhetorical; it may be part of a coordinated effort to delegitimise and ultimately eliminate Kurti.
Noel Hadjimichael, a seasoned security and geopolitics commentator in London, offers a stark assessment: "These people, their whole identity is power and wealth." He describes the opposition’s tactics as "dirty, hard, robust politics" and warns that Kurti’s reformist stance places him in an increasingly precarious position. "A successful assassination attempt, even by a small margin, could make him into a martyr," Hadjimichael observes, emphasising the high stakes of Kosovo’s volatile power struggle.
The convergence of Grenell’s statements, his documented ties to Serbian and Russian-aligned interests, and the escalating political violence in Kosovo point to a chilling reality: Grenell’s actions may not merely be political posturing but a deliberate move to legitimise and facilitate an assassination plot against Prime Minister Albin Kurti. If these coordinated efforts succeed, it won’t just be a democratically elected leader who falls, but the very future of Kosovo’s hard-won sovereignty and democratic progress.
Kosovo’s Political Mafia: Will They Stop at Nothing to Take Down Albin Kurti?
Since 2021, Kosovo has experienced a significant political shift following the landslide victory of Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his administration. This electoral upheaval ended two decades of governance by political parties widely associated with corruption and organised crime. A cornerstone of Kurti’s leadership has been the push for anti-corruption reforms, particularly legislation targeting unjustified wealth among political elites
Vucic presents Richard Grenell with Order of the Serbian Flag, 1st class: You are a friend of Serbia — Telegraf Serbia.
Richard Grenell did not disclose payments for advocacy work on behalf of a Moldovan politician whom the U.S. later accused of corruption. — ProPublica.
U.S. Bans Fugitive Moldovan Tycoon From Entry For 'Significant Corruption' — RFE.
Vladimir Plahotniuc — Open Sanctions.
Richard Grenell’s paid consulting included work for U.S. nonprofit funded mostly by Hungary - Washington Post.