At the Training Range in Babaj i Bokës, Gjakova, the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV Day) was held today as part of the multinational international exercise “Defender Europe 25.” Through this exercise, Kosovo was said to have demonstrated its readiness to become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, NATO.
In this military exercise, in which Kosovo is not only the host but also participates with approximately one thousand members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), over 25,000 troops from 29 NATO allied and partner countries are involved.
Today, KSF members, through specially prepared operational scenarios for this day, demonstrated the operational readiness and level of interoperability with partner and regional forces, according to organizers.
Participating in the exercise are also troops from the United States, Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
The exercise was closely observed by Kosovo’s Supreme Commander, President Vjosa Osmani, together with Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, representatives from NATO member states and international partners, ambassadors, and senior officers from the KSF and participating countries.
Supreme Commander Vjosa Osmani said the Kosovo Security Force has proven it is ready not only to contribute to such operations but also to be an equal state, a NATO member state.
She added that today, once again, the KSF demonstrated its interoperability with allied forces on a larger scale.
“Even in Defender 2025, the Republic of Kosovo has proven to be a loyal ally, a well-prepared ally in line with NATO forces, and an ally ready to cooperate with the most professional forces, those from the U.S., Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, and other present states… our forces have shown that we are ready not only to contribute to such operations but also to be an equal state, a member state of the most powerful political and military alliance—NATO,” she said.
President Osmani added that “Defender 2025” is a strong testimony of the unwavering alliance between Kosovo and the United States.
The KSF military exercise as part of “Defender Europe 2025” was also attended by Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who said that the exercise demonstrated the strength and interoperability of the KSF with NATO.
According to him, these types of efforts strengthen Kosovo’s case for NATO membership.
“We managed to demonstrate our strength, the interoperability we have with NATO, and in this way, to strengthen our cause—Kosovo’s NATO membership is not only for our benefit but also for the contribution we will provide… Cooperation and exercises bring out the best in both the army and the soldiers, and this has been visible during these almost 10 days since ‘Defender Europe 2025’ started. All the weaponry you see demonstrated here was purchased over the past three years, except for one Heckler & Koch rifle… We have doubled the number of soldiers, quadrupled the number of exercises abroad, and tripled the defense budget,” Kurti said.
The acting prime minister also praised the Kosovo soldiers.
“During this exercise, you saw how skilled our soldiers are, but we also have the honor and pleasure to be at this training ground which, as a training zone, is becoming one of the best in the region and beyond,” he emphasized.
The U.S. Army Chief of Staff for Europe and Africa, Levon Cumpton, said the ability to achieve interoperability and build readiness together not only ensures regional security and stability but also has broader implications.
“We are thankful to the general, to the relationship with the 28th Infantry Division here, and to the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, which has been active for many years and is extremely important. The ability to achieve interoperability and build readiness together not only ensures regional security and stability but also has a broader impact. Thank you for being a beautiful host. Thank you for your leadership here in Kosovo, and we’re honored to be part of this cooperation,” he said.
The Commander of the U.S. Army’s 28th Infantry Division, Major General Micheal Wegscheider, said these exercises demonstrated full interoperability.
According to him, the true heroes of this exercise, which involved 18 countries, are the people of Kosovo, the KSF staff and officers under the leadership of General Jashari.
“We commanded from the continental United States, across the ocean, to the tactical command post here in Gjakova, with four multinational brigades from Bulgaria, Albania, North Macedonia, and Croatia put on this list to exercise and validate. We have succeeded. We demonstrated full interoperability, in my opinion. I will conclude with this: I have been here many times, to this beautiful country, I am impressed every time I come back. I have spent some years of my life here. The real heroes of this exercise, which involved 18 countries, are the people of Kosovo, the KSF staff and officers under the leadership of General Jashari, as well as the KSF soldiers located 5,000 meters away in the southern valley, sweating and demonstrating their capabilities and strong determination,” he said.
Alongside the military exercise, the latest modern military equipment of Kosovo was also presented at the training ground in Babaj i Bokës, which was closely inspected by the state leaders.
The “Defender Europe 2025” exercise in Kosovo began on May 26, 2025, and will conclude on June 9.
