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Former acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell lambasted reporters for their lack of interest in the historic peace agreement brokered by the Trump administration between Kosovo and Serbia.
Grenell, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the talks between Serbia and Kosovo, berated reporters on Friday during a White House media briefing when Steven Nelson of the New York Post tried to pivot towards a separate issue.
"Ambassador Grenell, clearly you were effective here as the special envoy to these talks between Serbia and Kosovo, but I wanted to ask you about another initiative you led," said Nelson. "Last year you kicked off the Trump administration push to decriminalize homosexuality..."
"Let me just talk about Kosovo and Serbia. I don't know if you can find it on a map. But this is atrocious," interrupted Grenell, who was clearly upset.
"You might be too young to understand what this issue is about. Maybe the older journalists should step up and say, 'This is a big deal. This is a big issue.' I'm astounded at what happens in Washington, D.C., and especially in this room," he continued.
"I gotta tell you, it's substantive, maybe it's too complicated of an issue for you all," Grenell added.
"But respectively, this is the first time we've had the opportunity to speak with these individuals," said another reporter.
"OK, but today's about Kosovo and Serbia, let's take a little time and talk about this 21-year issue," interrupted Grenell.
"We're getting the same questions that are all politics. You guys don't understand what's happening outside of Washington, D.C. People aren't listening to you, anymore. It's really a crisis in journalism, and I think it's because people are too young to understand issues like Kosovo and Serbia," he continued.
"How about a substantive question?" Grenell asked.
"I don't think any of us came here for a lecture about our questioning," said Jeff Mason, a Reuters White House correspondent.
"OK, well I didn't come here to not talk about anything about Kosovo and Serbia," responded Grenell.
The economic deal between leaders of Serbia and Kosovo also includes a mutual recognition agreement between Israel and Kosovo — a majority Muslim country. Serbia will also move its embassy to Jerusalem, which is seen as a great concession to Israeli interests in the region.
Ambassador Richard Grenell slams journalists asking irrelevant questionswww.youtube.com
The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo reached an economic deal brokered by President Donald Trump on Friday, in a major step toward improving the relationship between the two nations who both also extended an olive branch to Israel.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo's Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti were able to come to deal signed in the Oval Office of the White House that includes Serbia following the United States' lead in moving its embassy to Jerusalem, and Kosovo — a majority Muslim country — and Israel agreeing to mutual recognition in what the Associated Press called "a diplomatic win" for President Trump.
Fox News noted that "Kosovo had declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after NATO conducted an airstrike campaign against Serbia in a bid to end the persecution of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo."
The outlet reported that "While most Western nations have recognized Kosovo's independence, Serbia, Russia and China have not — keeping tensions high in the Balkan region."
The European Union has overseen talks between Serbia and Kosovo for more than a decade without success, making Friday's agreement a significant achievement.
Vucic admitted at the signing, "We haven't resolved all our issues, but this is a huge step forward," while Hoti added, "This is a great moment for the region."
President Trump declared during the ceremony, "I'm pleased to announce a truly historic commitment. Serbia and Kosovo have each committed to economic normalization." He added, "Truly, it is historic."
Following the signing, President Trump promised further deals working toward peace in the Middle East, tweeting, "Another great day for peace with Middle East – Muslim-majority Kosovo and Israel have agreed to normalize ties and establish diplomatic relations. Well-done! More Islamic and Arab nations will follow soon!"
Another great day for peace with Middle East – Muslim-majority Kosovo and Israel have agreed to normalize ties and… https://t.co/cm0JuEHhV2— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1599237849.0
The deal between Kosovo and Serbia comes just weeks after another major diplomatic victory for the Trump administration.
Last month, the president and his advisors mediated a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that made the UAE the third Arab nation to establish ties with Israel.
A joint statement released by the U.S., Israel, and the UAE on the agreement read, in part:
This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today's historic achievement.