Russia is rebuilding capacity to destabilize Europe, including Kosovo and the Balkans

Researchers from the UK’s Royal United Services Institute [RUSI] said Russia is rebuilding its capacity to destabilize European states and expand its influence in the Middle East and Africa, posing a strategic threat to NATO and its members who are focused on the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the report also mentions Kosovo and other countries in the Balkans.

There it writes that the extent of the influence is also through various charities, including the Ahmat Kadyrov Foundation, which seeks to publicize Kadyrov as a religious figure.

The European Islamic Forum does similar work.

“The organization is particularly active in the Balkans, where it has established links with key Muslim representatives (not only religious, but also political figures) in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Croatia, Greece and Romania.” “.

Some of the goals of this Forum mentioned on its website are: the integration of Muslim migrants into European society, assistance in the construction and development of mosques and Islamic cultural centers in European countries, organizing activities aimed at popularizing The European Islamic Cultural Heritage, the development of online educational projects to reach a wider audience of young Muslims, the development of the halal industry in European countries, etc.

The head of the forum, Niyazov, also heads the Islamic Cultural Center in Moscow, a public department of the official council of the Russian Mufti and also an institution linked to the Kremlin.

In the Russian Federation, Niyazov is considered a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who represented Putin’s party in the Russian Duma from 1999 to 2003.

RUSI Researchers have argued that Western nations must do more to counter Moscow and its unconventional war tactics if they are to successfully defeat Russia in Ukraine, reports The Geopost.