The aggression of Russia in Ukraine underscores the urgency and importance of Washington’s efforts to assist the Western Balkan states in achieving their aspirations for European integration and membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
This was stated by a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State to Radio Free Europe in response to a question about whether the U.S. shares concerns with the European Union regarding a statement made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said that Moscow aims to incite conflict in the Western Balkans.
“The Western Balkan states and all states in Europe have a significant interest in the outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine, a war that threatens the foundations of international order and security. Therefore, it is crucial that we continue to stand together against Russian aggression,” said the U.S. spokesperson.
Earlier in the week, Zelensky stated to African media that he has evidence of Moscow’s intentions to start a war between Western Balkan states.
“Pay attention to the Balkans. Believe me, we are getting information. Russia has a long-term plan. [First, we had] the Middle East – the second focus will be the Balkans,” Zelensky said on November 15.
“Their [Western Balkan states’] relations have been in crisis for a long time. Therefore, Russia will invest to ensure that one Balkan state will be in conflict with another,” he added.
The EU also agreed with Moscow’s intentions. EU spokesperson Peter Stano stated that the bloc has long said that Russia is attempting to exert malign influence in the Western Balkans too.
“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 some time. At this point, we agree with the President of Ukraine, and we know that Russia is doing everything it can to sow dissatisfaction, not political stability, foreign influence, information manipulation, and more,” Stano declared on Friday, November 17.
The U.S. mentioned that Washington is working with the Western Balkan states and European partners to advance governance, rule of law, and anti-corruption reforms “to reduce the chances for Russian malign influence and bring long-term peace, stability, and prosperity to the region”.
“The sanctions announced by the State and Treasury Departments on Thursday target precisely this issue, the interconnection of Russian malign influence and corruption. Both of these hinder the region’s efforts to move towards EU membership and a more prosperous future,” said the U.S. spokesperson in the response sent to Radio Free Europe.
He referred to the sanctioning of ten individuals and several companies from the Western Balkans linked to Kremlin influence in the region. Among them are Savo Cvijetinović, Petar Đokić, and Duško Perović from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Miodrag Davidović and Branislav Mićunović from Montenegro; Ratka Kunoska Kamceva, Irina Samsonenko, and Sergey Samsonenko from North Macedonia; and Miša Vacić and Nenad Popović from Serbia.
In the past, the U.S. has also sanctioned individuals in the Western Balkans for their ties with Russia.
Russia initiated the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February of last year. Apart from Serbia, all other Western Balkan states have joined European sanctions against Moscow due to the war in Kyiv.
Kosovo authorities have previously accused Russia of encouraging its ally, Serbia, to destabilize Kosovo. However, these accusations have been rejected by Moscow.
Also, after the attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjska of Zvecan in September, Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla stated that authorities are investigating possible Russian involvement in the attack, which Kosovo considers a terrorist act and blames Serbia for.
Sveçla declared that Russian weapons and other documents found in Banjska suggest Russian involvement in the attack where a Kosovo Police officer was killed. Three Serbian attackers were also killed during the clashes.
