Yee says American engagement remains strong in Balkans

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia's comments come amid concerns that deep drafts proposed in this department's budget will downplay Washington's role in fragile and exposed democracies to Russian influence. When it comes to common interests in the region such as terrorism in the United States explains Yee for the Voice of America, they will co-operate closely with Moscow.

But where Russia and the United States can't see eye-to-eyes, which is probably worked on opposing lines, America, as Secretary Rex Tillerson said, and Zv. President Pence, will firmly defend its interests and values and those of its allies, and that's what we're doing now, was Yee's statement.

“We are taking steps to strengthen the states of this region to the mountain influence, whether it be from Russia, sources, countries or other factors, so that we can make sure neither Moscow nor any other actor manages to exercise this kind of harmful influence on foreign policy or that of Balkan countries”, is Yee's comment.

One of the cases that should disturb any democracy in Europe is according to him, Russian intervention in Montenegro. Evidence makes it clear that Moscow is willing not only to intervene in the elections, but also to bring down the elected government on the democratic road of another state -- a state that has just become a NATO member -- to other Balkan countries must be very cautious, the senior American official advises.

The United States has recently expressed concern also about the way Russia operates in Serbia, a country many Western groups think Kremlin is using as the basis for opposing American interests in the Balkans.