Researchers discuss Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Balkans

Researchers and civil society representatives said on Thursday that the Balkans have not been a priority for the West for a long time and this is being exploited by Russia and China to spread their influence.

They made these comments during a debate at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University in New York on the topic "The Rise of Russia and China in the Western Balkans: What Does This Mean for Democracy and European Integration?"

Tanya Domi, professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, said that "last week Russia and China united against the West around the office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, while there are many developments in the region that testify to their interference."

Ivana Stradner, from the American Enterprise Institute, said that when you see the Balkans in the news it's clear that something is wrong.

"Recent events in Bosnia, Montenegro and Kosovo send a clear signal that the Balkans are on the brink of conflict," said Ms. Stradner, underlining that this is not very visible in the West due to problems in other parts of the world and the Balkans are not a priority for the West.

She said that Russia's global goals are clear; it wants, among other things, to impose itself as a world power and prevent NATO expansion, and the Balkans are suitable for fulfilling Russian goals.

"Russia understands that the Balkans are Europe's weak point and are deeply divided along ethnic lines. Also, corruption has created easy opportunities for Russia to involve its people everywhere, and Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia are not full democracies," she said, emphasizing that Russia incites ethnic tensions through information operations, arms the region, while exploiting gas and exerting influence through the Serbian Orthodox Church.

She said that Kosovo is another theater for Russia, which during recent developments on the border with Serbia, among other things, "mocked the peacekeeping forces and the EU's role as a mediator in talks between the two states."

She said that Russia, through its actions in the Balkans, aims to fulfill three goals: to undermine NATO's collective defense, since several Balkan countries are members of the alliance; to weaken the European Union and make it look like a "paper tiger" and; to re-establish itself as a world power by inciting a conflict and then imposing itself as a mediator.

Ambassador Vesko Garcevic, professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Boston University, said that the United States and Europe have ignored the danger that Russia and China pose in the Western Balkans, where, as he said, 'hybrid' regimes are expected to copy the actions of these countries.

Ambassador Garcevic said that the European future as a driving force for reform is fading, thus creating space for China and Russia.

Lubomir Filipovic, head of the Civic Initiative "21 May" in Montenegro, and Reuf Bajrovic, co-chair of the US-Europe Alliance, emphasized the role of the Serbian Orthodox Church in supporting Russian influence in the Balkans, which is also spread through the media.

Lubomir Filipovic said that pro-Russian forces in Montenegro, after the recent elections there, have secured very important positions in the government.

Reuf Bajrovic said that the long-term success of the region depends on the actions of the United States.

"The United States is the only and last hope for the region," he said, underlining that the European Union has proven that it is unable to confront Russia and China in the region.