The European Union shares the concern of the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that Russia may try to incite conflicts in the Western Balkans region. This was said by the spokesperson of the EU for foreign policy and security issues, Peter Stano, answering the question that the EU shares the concern expressed by Zelenskyy that Russia will try to provoke conflicts in the Western Balkans region.
“For a long time we have said that Russia is making efforts to exert malignant influence in the Western Balkans region as well. So yes, this is a concern that we share, and this is not a new concern, but a concern that has been with us for a while. At this point, we agree with the president of Ukraine and we know that Russia is doing everything it can to sow discontent, political instability, foreign influence, manipulation of information and others”, said the EU spokesperson, Peter Stano.
He added that precisely for this reason, the EU has increased assistance to partners in the Western Balkan countries to face these threats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in comments to African media on November 15 that Ukraine has evidence of Russia’s intentions to start a war between the Balkan countries.
“Pay attention to the Balkans. Trust me, we are getting information. Russia has a long plan. The Middle East – the second distraction will be the Balkans. After all, if the partners do not do something now, then there will be an explosion there again, and again – this will not be a new story. Their relationship has been in crisis for a long time” Zelenskyy said.
This statement of the Ukrainian president has prompted reactions from politicians in the region and representatives of the international community.
The British MP, Alicia Kearns, says that since June of this year, she has warned that the developments in Kosovo are dangerous. She says that internationals should be more committed to finding solutions in this region.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also reacted to Zelenskyy’s message. He says that the message of the president of Ukraine is clear and that Russia is interested in the destabilization of the states bordering the European Union.
Plenković states that the Region has several foci of tension that require attention and intervention from the international community.
The president of the European Initiative for Stability, Gerald Knaus, expressed concern about the Ukrainian president’s statement. Knaus says that Zenenskyy’s warning is clear, “but the EU, Germany and others are staying asleep allowing a tragic failure to approach”.
Even some moderate politicians in Serbia have expressed concern about Zenenskyy’s statements and demand that the Serbian government distance itself from its neutral stance towards Russia.
