We left the Western Balkans in Russia's hands

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Cardin, shortly after the assassination of Serbian politician in Kosovo Oliver Ivanovic, the British newspaper Observer has published an analytical text of the security expert, John Schindler, where it says that the region of Southeast Europe is now a more dangerous place than in 2003, when Serbia's then prime minister, Zoran Djindjic, was killed. It also says that Russian influence, recently, has grown dramatically, especially in Serbia and Bosnia, and that Russian support for Kosovo Serbs is not secret. What is the assessment of the United States: Can Ivanovic's murder lead to the Kremlin?

Ben Cardin: First, he expresses comfort for his family and friends. It has been a truly tragic event that must be thoroughly and transparently investigated. However, even though it has been a terrible event, Belgrade and Pristina must remain fully committed to dialogue for normalising relations. We want to remain focused on the stability of the region, to achieve progress despite this tragic event.

Radio Free Europe: The analysis published by Oobserver says that, taking into account the influence of Russian mountain in the region, especially when it includes killings, as well as the Balkans, Europe should be concerned because there are probably connections leading to the Kremlin, when it comes to the assassination of Ivanovic. The analysis also stresses that preventing Serbia from membership in the European Union and NATO is the main goal of Russian foreign policy in the Balkans. Do you agree with that conclusion?

Ben Cardin: Of course, I agree with the consensus that Mr. Vladimir Putin's (Russian president) goal is to keep the region under control, to get involved in the policies of the countries of the region, to damage those relations and to do them worse. The tactics he uses and for which he is known may include similar techniques that Russia applies to its planned activities. We have no concrete information or indication of Ivanovic's murder, so we call for full transparency in investigating this assassination. But there is no doubt that the region must take steps to protect itself from Russian influence.

Radio Free Europe: Each hope of continuing to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina has died alongside Ivanoviqi, also said in the analysis that Oobserver has published. Do you agree with that assessment?

Ben Cardin: We don't want to accept such a conclusion, because that would mean victory for those who use terror to achieve their goals. What we want is exactly the opposite: we are committed to the progress of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

Radio Free Europe: Do you think dialogue between the two sides will continue soon? Is the U.S. doing something in this direction?

Ben Cardin: As the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which I published last week, says, the United States should be active in the region. If that does not exist, we will continue to see Russia's influence through its activities in Serbia. Therefore, it is extremely important that the Serbian leadership, the ruling elite in Kosovo, remain devoted to their national and state interests and not be influenced by foreign players. I think the West, the United States, can help make this happen.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Cardin, together with colleagues of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in the report released a week ago, you have asked the US to strengthen engagement in Serbia and the wider Western Balkans in response to increased Russian influence in the region. But do you think the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is interested in this region?

Ben Cardin: What we can say is that we have not often seen American presidents visit the region. My report says Russia is engaged in the region. Part of this can be explained by the fact that some natural alliances exist, sympathies towards Russia and strong ethnic ties of specific countries in the region with Russia. As we know, Orthodoxism also plays a major role in its proximity to Russia. So we know these <x0) natural connections” that Mr. Putin can use. However, it is important that the citizens of Serbia lead with their country and make independent decisions without foreign interference. Serbia has made it clear that it wants integration into the European Union, while Putin requires this process of Serbia's Euro-integration to slow down. To a extent, it has also been successful in slowing Serbia's road to the EU. Therefore, it is important that the United States and other countries help Serbia direct its future.

Radio Free Europe: Your report says that Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, has at least 12 times met with Russia's President Vladimir Putin since 2012, while the last American president to visit Belgrade has been Jimmy Carter, in 1980...

Ben Cardin: Yeah, I think this policy is wrong. I think the United States should be more present “physically” in Serbia and at the highest level. It is a very important country in the region; bilateral relations between the US and Serbia are extremely important, so I call for high-level visits. I know Congress delegations have been visiting Serbia; even through the Helsinki Committee we've had activities with Serbia and the region, and therefore I think the White House should show more interest in Serbia, just through higher-level visits.

Radio Free Europe: Your report says Russia, mixing in other countries' internal policies, uses various means...

Ben Cardin: Mr. Putin is said to be active in 19 countries. Each of these countries has the same political plan, but uses different means. Some of these countries have taken dramatic steps to minimize Russia's influence, and this has resulted in success. But we must make progress in other countries and regions as well.