Zelensky's US statement: Russian aggression towards Ukraine highlights the urgency of helping the Western Balkans

So said an American State Department spokesman for Radio Free Europe on whether the US shares concern with the European Union in a statement made by Ukrainian President Volody Zelensky, who has said Moscow wants to promote conflict in the Western Balkans.

The “Western Balkan states and all states in Europe have a strong interest in the outcome of Russia's fight against Ukraine, a war threatening the foundations of international order and security. Therefore, it is essential that we continue to stay together in the face of Russia's assault”, the UN spokesman said.

Earlier this week, Zelensky told African media that he has evidence of Moscow's intentions to launch a war among Western Balkan states.

“Pay attention to the Balkans. Believe me, we're getting information. Russia has a long plan. [First we had] The Middle East ʹ the second distraction will be the Balkans”, Zelensky said on November 15th.

Their [Western Balkan states] reports are in crisis for a long time. Therefore, Russia will invest to ensure that a Balkan state [will be] at war with another state of”, he added.

The EU agreed to such Moscow goals. EU spokeswoman Peter Stano said the long-standing bloc has said Russia is making efforts to exert mountain influence in the Western Balkans as well.

So, yes, this is the concern we share and this is not the new concern, but the concern that has been with us for a while. We agree at this point with the president of Ukraine and know that Russia is doing everything it can to sow discontent, not political stability, foreign influence, intelligence manipulation and other”, Stano said on Friday, November 17th.

The UN said Washington is working with Western Balkan states and with European partners, to advance governance, rule of law and rule of law, and to carry out anti-corruption reforms “that will diminish the potential for Russian mountain influence and bring lasting peace, stability and prosperity to the region”.

“Sanctions announced by the State and Treasury Department on Thursday are aimed at this very problem, the interconnection of the Russian mountain influence and corruption. Both undermine efforts by the region to move towards EU membership and towards a more promotional future”, the spokesman said The UN is responding to Radio Free Europe.

He referred to the sanctioning of ten people and several companies from the Western Balkans linked to the influence of the Kremlin in the region. Among them are Savo Cvijetinovic, Petar Djoq and Dusko Perovovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Miodrag Davidovic and Branislav Mitunovic from Montenegro; Ratka Kunoska Kamceva, Irina Samsonenko and Sergey Samsonenko from Northern Macedonia; and Misa Vacic and Nenad Popovic from Serbia.

Even in the past, the US has sanctioned individuals in the Western Balkans for their ties to Russia.

Russia has begun its unprotested invasion of Ukraine in February of last year. Besides Serbia, all other Western Balkan states have joined European sanctions imposed on Moscow due to the war on Kiev. Separator

Authorities in Kosovo in the past have accused Russia of inciting its ally, Serbia, to destabilise Kosovo. But these charges have been rejected by Moscow.

Also, following the attack on the Kosovo Police in Zvecan Banisk in September, Kosovo Interior Minister Jhelal Svecla has declared that authorities are investigating Russia's possible involvement in the attack, which Kosovo considers terrorist and blames Serbia for it.

Svecla has declared that Russian weapons and other documents found in Banjska suggest Russian involvement in the attack, where a Kosovo policeman was killed. Three Serb attackers were also killed during the clashes. / REL