Britain has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to peace in the Western Balkans, announcing that UK troops will continue supporting NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo for at least another three years.
The move was confirmed as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted Western Balkan leaders in London for a summit focused on tackling irregular migration and strengthening regional security.
UK Troops to Remain on Standby for Kosovo Force
Under the renewed agreement, the British Armed Forces will continue to provide a reserve force of several hundred soldiers to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR), ready to deploy at short notice if required.
The UK last deployed troops to Kosovo in 2023, following a violent attack on police in the country’s north.
“The UK’s commitment to peace and security in the Western Balkans is unwavering,” Sir Keir said. “By extending our support to NATO’s Kosovo Force, we are demonstrating our role as a leading NATO ally and standing by our values of stability and democracy.”
He added that cooperation with the region was vital “not only for regional stability, but to ensure security here at home.”
A Mission with Deep Roots
KFOR was established in 1999 after NATO’s 78-day air campaign against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, aimed at preventing a humanitarian crisis in Kosovo.
Today, around 4,500 troops from 33 NATO and partner nations serve in the mission, including forces from Italy, Turkey, Poland, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
The extension of Britain’s commitment until December 2028 supports the government’s “NATO-first” approach outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, reinforcing stability across the Western Balkans.
Decades of Peacekeeping Experience
Armed Forces Minister Al Carns praised the professionalism of British personnel serving with KFOR.
“Our troops have carried out hundreds of missions over the decades in support of KFOR, and this extension to our commitment will keep Kosovo and the Western Balkans safer,” he said.
“Peacekeeping is a critical component of our commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad, and I would like to thank the hundreds of British troops who remain ready to step up to keep the UK and Europe safe.”
Training and Partnership for Long-Term Stability
Alongside its peacekeeping role, the UK is expanding efforts to train and educate regional allies. A new Ministry of Defence training course, launching early next year, will bring together defence and security personnel from across the Western Balkans.
Participating nations will include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
The programme aims to enhance understanding of civilian protection and the role of women in defence, forming part of a broader UK initiative to promote peace through education and cooperation.
British forces have also strengthened KFOR’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, significantly improving the mission’s ability to maintain safety and stability across Kosovo.
