Skip to content
The Geopost

The Geopost

Rythmic Geostrategic Tracking

  • NEWS
  • SECURITY
  • ANALYSIS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FACT CHECKING
  • English
    • Shqip
    • Srpski
    • English
  • Balkans

Peach: Russia wants war in the Western Balkans, we will not allow it

The Geopost January 27, 2023 3 min read
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

“I vividly remember the wars in the former Yugoslavia, the years of fighting and killing that left scars on generations of people on each side. Worse, much younger than me, the people of the region still live with the terrible legacy of those wars: hatred, a destroyed economy and an uncertain future.

No one wants to relive those black days.

For the sake of these young people, we must do everything in our power to prevent a possible recurrence of armed conflict in the region.

When I say ‘we’, this is primarily a task for local politicians, who must reject destructive nationalism, rise above one-sided interests and direct their policies towards achieving results for the citizens of their countries. This means working towards reconciliation and economic recovery so that people no longer feel the need to leave their countries, which is causing a dangerous brain drain.

Governments must provide their citizens with the education and knowledge to acquire the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

But when I say ‘we’, I also mean the UK and our allies, who share an unwavering commitment to the security and progress of this region.

I have travelled extensively in the region, visiting Kosovo already this year and Croatia and Serbia last week.

My aim is to listen to my interlocutors and encourage them to find constructive solutions, while demonstrating that the UK remains committed to supporting the stability of the region.

We know that Russia is trying to extend its malign influence into the Western Balkans, but the West is united in opposing both Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and its attempts to destabilise other regions.

We continue to work to protect the security of the region.

While the risk of armed conflict should not be underestimated, the region and the international community are in a much different, much better position than 30 years ago.

We are much better adapted to the risks and have many more diplomatic and political tools. So, while the recent events you mention are certainly worrying, we need to focus on mobilising the resources we have to keep moving forward,” said in an exclusive interview for one of the leading croatian daily newspapers, Večernji list, Stuart Peach, special envoy of the British government for the Western Balkans.

Peach also referred to Milorad Dodik’s prediction that the time is coming when all Serbs will live in one country and rejected such a possibility.

Asked how much he was counting on Croatia, he said that the country could greatly help the Western Balkan region on its way to the EU and even NATO.

“I have seen that Prime Minister Plenković and Serbian President Vucic have taken important steps these days to improve relations between the two countries. Together with the rest of the international community, I sincerely hope that the leaders of both countries will show that they are true statesmen, building on positive first steps, for peace and stability in the whole region.”

He also assessed that sooner or later Serbia will have to make a decision and impose sanctions on Russia. He also stated that he understood the country’s historical ties with Russia, but also pointed out that the Kremlin is trying to destabilise the Western Balkans.

“As we and many other countries have made clear in our meetings with our Serbian counterparts, this is an issue of right and wrong. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought war and bloodshed back to our continent and it is important that European countries stand united in standing up to Russia’s aggression”, said the British Special Envoy for the Western Balkans.

Peach added that the West “has a long-standing interest in the security of the region and we will continue to work with our allies and partners in the region to protect it.

Politically and diplomatically, the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to counter destabilising activities, including those supported by Russia./AntenaM/

Continue Reading

Previous: Croatian Serbs receiving calls for mobilisation in case of war in Kosovo? / “Everything is being covered up”
Next: Slovenia arrests 2 suspected spies for Russia

Hague court issues arrest warrant for russian president, Vučić says he won’t arrest Putin 3 min read
  • Balkans

Hague court issues arrest warrant for russian president, Vučić says he won’t arrest Putin

The Geopost March 20, 2023
The massacre in “Panda” was committed by today’s leaders of the Zemun and Škaljar clans 6 min read
  • Balkans

The massacre in “Panda” was committed by today’s leaders of the Zemun and Škaljar clans

The Geopost March 14, 2023
Freedom House’s report on Serbia – the decline of freedoms and the state’s connection to organized crime 3 min read
  • Balkans

Freedom House’s report on Serbia – the decline of freedoms and the state’s connection to organized crime

The Geopost March 14, 2023
A case has been filed against Milorad Dodik for denying genocide 1 min read
  • Balkans

A case has been filed against Milorad Dodik for denying genocide

The Geopost March 7, 2023
Đukanović: Russia’s hybrid actions deepen divisions in Montenegro 4 min read
  • Balkans

Đukanović: Russia’s hybrid actions deepen divisions in Montenegro

The Geopost February 28, 2023
Parents’ open letter to Vucic: Who shot at our children in the Panda cafe in Peć 3 min read
  • Balkan
  • Balkans

Parents’ open letter to Vucic: Who shot at our children in the Panda cafe in Peć

The Geopost February 27, 2023
Tweets by theGeopost

logos_together

The Geopost is sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo and the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) through their TechCamp Kosovo project implemented in partnership with FLOSSK.

The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.”

The Geopost

Contact

  • info@thegeopost.com
  • Qendra Tregtare
    Bregu i Diellit, 10000 Prishtinë
Facebook-f Twitter Youtube

Copyright © The Geopost | Kreeti by AF themes.