In addition, the United States shifted its strategic focus to Asia after the Kosovo war. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, it has launched a series of military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. When Kosovo becomes independent, it will be able to pull out of the Balkans to concentrate on Middle Eastern affairs. Because of its special relations with the United States, Britain closely follows Washington's footsteps on the Kosovo issue.

The EU has always attempted to stabilize the region in the spirit of maintaining peace across Europe. However, it was forced to take part in the Kosovo war after its diplomatic mediation turned out to be futile. The EU's "soft power" has proved far less effective than U.S. "hard power" in resolving clashes and wars. Despite its wish to handle European affairs independently, it has to ask the United States for help in case its capability is found wanting.

After the war, the EU suggested that Kosovo should meet international standards in its political, economic and social spheres before its status is decided. The so-called "international standards" require Kosovo to put in place a democratic and law-based political regime and a market economy, respect the rights of the minorities including the Serbs, and achieve social reconciliation and national prosperity. The EU's initiative gained wide approval in the international community at the time. The thinking behind this initiative is that EU would try to postpone the settlement of Kosovo's status to avoid regional conflicts. Instead, it would encourage Kosovo and Serbia to work toward joining the union so that the issue could be resolved within the EU framework.

However, the EU's hope for peace was dashed in March 2004 when the most severe conflict after the Kosovo war broke out. The incident highlighted the fact that if Kosovo's status is not determined, impatient Albanians will resort to violence, threatening regional stability. After that, the international community, especially the EU, reflected upon its previous policy, opting for an early settlement of Kosovo's status. At present, the EU largely follows the U.S. policy, although countries that are affected by national separatism such as Greece, Spain, Romania and Bulgaria and members that have a historical friendship with Serbia have some reservations.