Hargreaves: The Hague ruling does not undermine Kosovo’s statehood; the UK will defend its future

UK Ambassador to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves visited the border crossing at Han i Elezit, where British troops entered Kosovo in June 1999 to stop the ethnic cleansing launched by Serbia.

In a post published after the visit, he recalled that Slobodan Milošević’s policies brought war crimes and repression to Kosovo, which have been extensively documented. Hargreaves stressed that hundreds of thousands of ethnic Albanians were forced to leave the country or were displaced within Kosovo.

According to the ambassador, British forces crossed the border at Han i Elezit in June 1999 as part of the NATO mission, authorized under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. He noted that the Security Council, which included Russia, had repeatedly expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Kosovo.

Hargreaves wrote that Milošević rejected all offers of peace, leading to the escalation of NATO’s air campaign in 1999 and the Alliance’s intervention in Kosovo.

The British ambassador said the United Kingdom is proud of its role in Kosovo in 1999 and in the period that followed. He said London continues to unwaveringly support international justice, accountability and respect for the decisions of international courts.

He also praised Kosovo’s decision to establish and support the Specialist Chambers, even though they could investigate some of the best-known figures from organizations that played a central role in the liberation war. Kosovo’s willingness to uphold the principle that no one is above the law is an important example for the entire region, he said.

Referring to the ruling in The Hague, Hargreaves clarified that the recent convictions relate to individual crimes committed against victims from different communities. He stressed that they in no way constitute a judgment on Kosovo’s statehood, sovereignty or right to determine its own future—a future the United Kingdom will continue to defend strongly. The convicted individuals, he added, have the right to appeal the verdicts.

Hargreaves said the United Kingdom remains strongly committed to the truth about the Western Balkans and to lasting reconciliation. He added that his country will continue to work with partners across the region and with international actors in support of peace, justice and a prosperous future for all communities.