Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow is communicating with the United States regarding the Balkans and that it is ready to develop those contacts.
“We have more opportunities to communicate with the United States [than with the European Union] regarding the Balkans, when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries in the region. These contacts are continuing. They have not yet resulted in any positive results or anything else. But, we are open to such contacts, and as far as I can judge, our American colleagues are also ready to develop them,” Lavrov was quoted as saying at a press conference.
The Russian diplomat’s statements come at a time when important figures in Kosovo, starting with President Vjosa Osmani, are warning about the danger of Russian influence in the Balkans region, while portraying Serbia as “an extended hand of Russia” in the region.
The Russian chief diplomat’s statements come at a time when important figures in Kosovo, starting with President Vjosa Osmani, are warning about the danger of Russian influence in the Balkan region, while portraying Serbia as “Russia’s extended hand” in the region.
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Serbia maintains warm relations with Russia and is the only country that has not imposed sanctions on Moscow for the war it launched in Ukraine.
Political analysts have repeatedly told Radio Free Europe that economic influence, disinformation, and the ability to benefit from corrupt schemes are the three key elements through which Russia extends its influence in the Balkans, and that Serbia and Republika Srpska – the Serbian entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina – are the most vulnerable in the region to Russian influence, as they could fuel a growing sentiment of extreme nationalism.
When speaking about countries in the region, Kurti focused on Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying that the situation is now more complicated because of Republika Srpska – a Serbian entity – which has direct ties to Moscow and does not allow Bosnia to progress.
“It is difficult to see how the situation will develop… it is a golden opportunity for Brussels to prove itself by bringing Bosnia closer to the path of EU membership.”
The US and EU approach to the Balkans
On December 18 of last year, US President Donald Trump signed the so-called National Defense Authorization Act, which, among other things, stipulates that the US does not support any policy that aims to change borders in the Balkans along ethnic lines.
For Kosovo, the US is its most important partner and its support is vital.
Since 1998, Washington has allocated over $2 billion to Kosovo.
This country has also invested considerable amounts in other Balkan countries.
For Kosovo, the alliance with the US remains an unbreakable axis. After a meeting with US President Donald Trump in September, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said she thanked him for what she called his tireless commitment to peace.
The US is present in six Western Balkan countries with its embassies, unlike Moscow, which does not recognize the state of Kosovo – just like Serbia – and has only a liaison office in Pristina.
The European Union also enjoys relations with countries in the region, of which all six Balkan countries aim to become part: Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
