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Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine has raised concerns about the risk of Moscow expanding its influence to other regions of Europe, particularly the Western Balkans.
This was the topic of a discussion hosted yesterday by Columbia University Harriman Institute. The experts analyzed Russia’s influence on the Western Balkans, using the example of Ukraine. They said the West should do more to combat Russian propaganda in the region and increase pressure on the Kremlin’s allies in the Balkans.
Security experts estimate that Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the most sensitive points in the Western Balkans, while saying that Serbia continues to be Russia’s main ally in the region.
According to them, misinformation is one of the main tools that the Kremlin uses to destabilize the region, aiming to undermine democracies, the European Union and NATO.
Ivana Stradner of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies says the main weapon to combat the expansion of Russian influence in the Balkans is the continued unmasking of Moscow propaganda.
“The only way to win the information war is by being very engaged and exposing the lies that are spreading across the Balkans. A few days ago, Serbia accused the United Kingdom of sending weapons to Kosovo. This spread rapidly in the region. A day later Britain denied the news. “The European Union, the United States and Britain must react after any false news in the Balkans.” says Mrs. Stradner.
She made the remarks during a discussion hosted by Columbia University’s Harriman Institute, where panelists analyzed Russian influence in the Western Balkans based on the example of Ukraine.
They assessed that the war in Ukraine has increased the European Union’s attention to the Western Balkans. But journalist Una Hajdari says that recently there has been a fading of concrete steps to improve the situation on the ground.
She cited three consecutive incidents in northern Kosovo inhabited by a Serb majority, where gunshots were fired at members of the Kosovo Police.
“Although we know that the concerns expressed by the European Union, usually through Twitter messages have no effect on the ground, at least we know that they are informed about these events. “EU officials have a limited vision, which has now shrunk even further,” she said.
Belgrade is facing increasing pressure from the West to harmonize its foreign policy with that of the West.
Serbia supported the UN resolution condemning the Russian attack on Ukraine, but continues to oppose the imposition of sanctions against Moscow. Serbia’s stance is seen by experts as an attempt by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to maintain a balance between East and West.
“After the vote on the resolution in the United Nations Security Council, everyone tries not to remove it, not to put pressure on them, because they are afraid that he will approach the other side. But they should tell him to go try it and see how things turn out. “But there is no will to challenge it.” said Kurt Bassauner of the Democratization Policy Council.
The attitude towards Russia and the conflict in Ukraine was also a factor in Serbia’s presidential elections held in early April.
President Vucic had said he had no plans to change his approach, defending his EU aspirations but without damaging close ties with Russia and China.
The election results pulled out that winner, securing him a second five-year term.
“I think that Aleksandar Vucic is a politician who knows no bounds, interested in maintaining power. “It’s dangerous and undemocratic, because these individuals, when they feel their survival is at stake, attack by engaging in activities and behaviors that could hurt Atlantic interests,” said Richard Kraemer of the European Center for Security Policy.
After the start of the war in Ukraine, voices in support of Kosovo’s membership in NATO increased. But Reuf Bajrovic, vice president of the US-Europe Alliance, an organization in Washington, says that goal is difficult to achieve because Kosovo first needs the recognition of all NATO member states.
“I think Kosovo is paying the bill for the West’s efforts to keep Vucic on their side,” he said.
Four of the 30 NATO countries, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain have not recognized Kosovo’s independence./VOA
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