The US Recognizes Kosovo's Independence: Rice Calls Kosovo a "Special Case". Global Times and环球Net report that despite opposition from countries such as Russia and Serbia, the United States officially recognized Kosovo's independence on the 18th. The U.S. also insisted that Kosovo's independence is a special case. According to AFP, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on the 18th that the United States officially recognizes Kosovo's independence. Earlier that day, Bush indicated during his visit to Tanzania that the people of Kosovo are now independent.