Joseph: Serbia is Moscow’s “warship” in the Balkans; its sinking would be a blow to Russia and China

Russia, as well as China, formally and metaphorically view Serbia as their strategic partner and main platform of influence in the Balkans. Therefore, American expert on international politics, Edward P. Joseph, says that “Serbia’s accession to NATO would be the Balkan equivalent of the sinking of the ‘Moskva.’”

According to him, Serbia is the warship through which Russia projects its influence throughout the Balkans, and, as he says, its sinking would be a major blow to both Russia and China, reports The Geopost.

“Serbia’s accession to NATO would be the Balkan equivalent of the sinking of the ‘Moskva.’ Why? Because Serbia is Russia’s ‘Moskva’ in the Balkans. Serbia is the warship through which Russia projects its influence across the entire Balkans,” said the lecturer at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. in an interview for RFE/RL, reported by The Geopost.

The American conflict-management expert listed several reasons why, in his view, it would be difficult for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to reject a possible U.S. offer – especially if it came from former President Donald Trump.

“First, Trump is extremely popular in Serbia and is a very imposing figure. It would be very difficult for Vučić to say: ‘No, I do not accept.’ Moreover, during his first term, Trump attempted to bring peace between Kosovo and Serbia – so this would not be something new. He knows the region and often says he ‘prevented a war between Serbia and Kosovo.’ Second, Vučić is politically weakened. Anti-government protests in Serbia have been ongoing for a year, and he is so insecure that he does not dare call new elections – something he has often done before. Accepting such a plan would completely change the domestic political situation. The protests would no longer be the main focus; attention would shift to this historic development. Of course, many pro-Russian actors would call him a traitor. But large parts of the opposition would support him, because NATO membership means more reforms, progress toward the EU, and an end to the policy of ‘sitting on two chairs,’” he says.

In this interview, Edward Joseph also speaks about the possibility of further recognitions of Kosovo. As he explains, Greece is expected to recognize Kosovo as soon as the statute of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities is signed, which would then ease the path for Romania, Slovakia, and Spain.

He emphasized that these states are not asked to provide immediate recognition, but rather not to block Kosovo’s NATO membership.

According to him, within three years the situation in the Balkans could change fundamentally, bringing fewer tensions and more political and economic cooperation in the region./The Geopost/