Russia is attempting to reignite old conflicts in the Western Balkans, aiming to exploit regional disputes to achieve its geopolitical objectives, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the opening of the Bled Security Forum.
European officials and analysts warn that Moscow is deliberately destabilizing the situation in the region to distract the West from the war in Ukraine and to increase its influence in the Balkans.
In recent months, there has been a rise in tension in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Russia is actively supporting separatist sentiments among Bosnian Serbs. Pro-Russian sentiments are also growing in Serbia, which traditionally maintains close ties with Moscow. Russia's propaganda campaign in the region aims to increase local discontent and fuel old ethnic conflicts.
Particular concern is raised by the situation in Kosovo, where clashes between Serbian and Albanian populations occur regularly. Russia is using these conflicts to undermine the region's Western integration, supporting radical forces opposed to NATO and EU presence in the Balkans.
European officials are calling for enhanced measures to prevent Russian destabilization in the region. A crucial step in this direction will be strengthening ties between Balkan countries and the European Union, as well as increasing cooperation with NATO to ensure stability and security in the Balkans.
By continuing its aggressive policy towards Ukraine, Russia is trying to expand its influence in other areas, using the Balkans as a key region for its strategic ambitions. Western countries, in turn, must be prepared for new challenges and enhance their support for Western Balkan countries in their pursuit of stability and integration into Euro-Atlantic structures.
