The US embassy in Kosovo announced on Friday that Washington has indefinitely suspended its planned ‘Strategic Dialogue’ process to deepen ties with Kosovo in response to unspecified “recent actions and statements” by caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

The embassy said it took the decision “due to concerns about caretaker government actions that have increased tensions and instability, constraining the ability of the United States to work productively with Kosovo on joint priorities.

“Our relationship with Kosovo is based on a common goal: strengthening peace and stability as a basis for mutual economic prosperity. Unfortunately, recent actions and statements by Caretaker Prime Minister Kurti have posed challenges to progress made over many years,” the embassy said.

The embassy did not explain what exactly Kurti had done wrong, but said it hoped that the Strategic Dialogue will happen “in the future when appropriate”.

The announcement came hours after the US chargé d’affaires in Kosovo, Anu Pratipatti, expressed concerns about Kurti’s recent moves, which she said “have increased instability and uncertainty in Kosovo”.

“These actions undermine the political process, weaken Kosovo’s institutions, and exacerbate interethnic tensions,” Pratipatti told BIRN in a written statement. She also did not specify which actions displeased the US.

The announcement came amid a long-running post-election deadlock which has seen Kosovo unable to inaugurate a new parliament. Last weekend, Kurti lashed out at Kosovo’s Constitutional Court, accusing it of acting “as a shadow of the opposition against Vetevendosje”, referencing a court ruling on the deadlock in parliament. Kurti is the Vetevendosje party’s leader.

Perparim Kryeziu, a spokesperson for Kurti, defended the government’s recent actions, saying they “have been in the service of the elimination of instability and guaranteeing sustainable and long-term stability.

“The stability we enjoy today is a natural result of the rule of law and public order,” Kryeziu said.

He avoided criticism of the US. “We are always grateful to the United States for their contribution and engagement to our country and thank them for their support and help to the Kosovo state and our people in many fields. We welcome criticisms, too. Whenever they are concrete, we try to the maximum to improve and correct steps in our actions,” Kryeziu said.

But Lumir Abdixhiku, head of the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, the third largest political party, said the suspension of the Strategic Dialogue marks “the lowest point in Kosovo’s relations with our strategic and existential ally”.

“It is now time for all of us to come together, end this political madness and build the state we have always deserved – before it is too late for everyone,” Abdixhiku said in a Facebook post.

The Strategic Dialogue is a process conducted by the US with various countries aimed at advancing bilateral relations and it includes high-level talks between US and partner countries on issues such as defence, security, the environment, energy and economic cooperation.

In January, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said she hoped the US would “soon finalise” the opening of the Strategic Dialogue and described it as an “extraordinary achievement”.