US professor warns major crisis in Balkans, cites Russian influence

He has said the situation in the Balkan countries could turn into a serious problem for the European Union.

In a recently closed meeting, a well-informed German official was asked what is the biggest problem in Europe. His response came without hesitation: The Western Balkans, where a new crisis is being created, while Turkey and Russia are “they're sensing”. In his worst scenario, Russia and Turkey will encourage problems in the Balkans, Serbia and Albania to help them reshuffle the region's borders. The Serbian government received Russia's backing, so that it could annex larger parts of Bosnia populated with ethnic Serbs. Turkish support may help Albania get a similar maneuver, and not only in Kosovo, but also in Macedonia where Albanians live, and want to be reunited at a home of”, writes Russell Mead, broadcast news.

According to him, the exchange of territories between Albanians and Serbs seems impossible.

This event course, however, is unlikely. Since some of the territories claimed for Greater Albania are in Serbia, and it would be difficult for the two countries to agree on a new map. There is a serious reality based on Germany's concerns. The Balkans are being unblocked, and the West should now be more concerned about Russian interventions. Turkey is becoming more and more powerful in NATO, and despite Turkish-Russia reports, Erdogan is closely co-operating with Russian President Vladimir Putin”, said in the comment of the foreign affairs professor.

“Turkey and Russia have joined by their opposition to Germany and the European Union. The Russians don't hate him. NATO, but views the EU as an obstacle to Russia's historic role in power in Europe. Turkey has also turned against the European Union, and is seeking work against Germany and other members. For Russia and Turkey, the ability to cause problems in Europe and the Balkans is at risk, and at small cost. The prospect of EU membership for countries like Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia has done more than anything to preserve fragile peace in the Western Balkans. Each Balkan country would be more part of the EU than an ally of Russia or Turkey”, he says.

The professor claims that Balkan countries will not be able to join the EU for a longer period.

“but hopes for short-term EU membership are fading. Europe is losing Britain and has had much time managing relations with members like Hungary and Poland. The 27 EU members have little desire to receive Balkan states, which would expect financial assistance from the EU when its budget after Brex will now expand. Serbs and Albanians are signaling that if the West departs, they will be instructed further east, and that would mean a transition to a nationalist agenda with Russian and Turkish aid”, said in his comment.

“Will the US become part of the game? The engagement in disputes in the Balkans is not Donald Trump's idea of expanded politics. Like the president, Bill Clinton, who fought two years to keep the United States out of Yugoslavia's wars, Trump may be skeptical of interfering and dealing with a new round of Balkan wars, with the sensitivity Obama recently displayed in Syria. That would be a serious mistake. Although disputes in the Balkans are insignificant compared to the biggest problems in other countries, what happens in the Balkans does not always stand there, and NATO and the EU can essentially be shaken by another round of bloodshed in the Balkans. The crisis has the potential to redefine US-EU reports for decades”, University of Brand professor has indicated.

“Europeans argue that there are small American investments, and active diplomacy and the construction of American forces in Kosovo could go further. Europeans who worry about peace in the Balkans should think about how to convince the White House to engage more on these issues. NATO solidarity, defence from Russia, may not be enough for Trump”, concludes Walter Russell Mead's comment.