German Defence Minister from Pristina warns of Russian, Chinese influence in Balkans

Kramp-Carrenbauer met with counterpart Damir Krstic in Croatia on Sunday and then travelled to Kosovo to visit the German KFOR troops.

We know that the entire region is valued with particular interest from China, but also by Russia”, Kramp-Carrenbauer in Pristina has said from KFOR's base, the DW reported in English.

HE writes that even forms of influence, such as those known to the Baltic States, are being observed. Russia, always according to the DA, is as critical of Baltic's ties to the West as it is of Kosovo's earlier orientation towards the EU and NATO.

Kramp-Carrenbauer said KFOR is not only contributing to resolving the basic conflict in the region, but also to enable Kosovo to decide its political future.

This corresponds to our understanding and to our values of the political sovereignty of the states”, Kramp-Carrenbauer said.

Unlike Kramp-Carrenbauer, it is the leader of the CDU party in Germany, which is a centre-right party. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has been the leader of this party from 2000 to 2018 when the post passed exactly the Kramp-Carrenbauer.