James Rubin visits Western Balkans next week

According to the US State Department, Rubin in Pogdorica in Montenegro and in Skopje of Northern Macedonia will meet with government officials to reinforce support for anti-designation initiatives”.

“It will discuss Russia's efforts, the efforts of the People's Republic of China and other malicious actors who use dezinforms to undermine democracy and national security worldwide and how our states can jointly oppose threats in the information space”, the UN said.

Meanwhile, in Tirana, Albania, according to the US State Department, the senior US official will participate in meetings with ambassadors of the United States who are accredited in the states of the Western Balkans.

James Rubin, who in the past was assistant secretary of state, has been engaged during the recent war period in Kosovo. He has defended the decision on international military intervention with Serb forces in Kosovo. For his commitment to Kosovo's liberation in 2013, Kosovo has shared the Presidential Medal of Merit.

Otherwise, the Centre for Global Action functions within the UN and aims to integrate and co-ordinate American Government efforts to inform and disseminate efforts to propaganda and disinclimate US security policies and stability and its allied states and partners.

States of the Western Balkans, like Kosovo and Northern Macedonia, have warned of dangers from potential Russian influences in the Western Balkans, but also of the influence of China in several countries in the region.

All states of the region, except for Serbia, have imposed sanctions on Russia after Moscow began invasion of Ukraine last February. Belgrade has justified its decision, calling in friendly reports it has with Moscow. / REL