Amb. Grenell to Be Peace Talks Envoy Between Serbia, Kosovo

President Donald Trump has tapped Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, as the administration's envoy for peace talks between officials in Serbia and Kosovo, The Hill reported.

In his new role, Grenell, who will retain his ambassadorship to Germany, will lead U.S. efforts to help the sides reach a formal agreement that could result in Serbia's recognition of Kosovo as an independent nation.

Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, is recognized as a sovereign state by more than 100 United Nations members, including the United States.

But it has been blocked from entering the European Union as well as the UN due to lobbying from Serbian officials, The Hill noted.

Tensions escalated late last year when Kosovo's government implemented a 100% tariff on goods imported from Serbia, up from a 10% tariff earlier in the year, The Hill reported.

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