Publication details
Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?
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| Year of publication | 2021 |
| Web | https://www.balkancrossroads.com/russian-involvement-in-the-western-balkans |
| Description | This article is based on the central argument that Russia perceives the Western Balkans as a zone of political confrontation in its broader rivalry with the West, where it seeks to undermine the achievements of the EU and NATO. After 9/11 and the US decision to stop treating the Balkans as one of its priority geostrategic areas and start fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, Russia was unexpectedly given the opportunity to fill a geopolitical vacuum in the Balkans, relying greatly on opportunistic tactics. Although Moscow has sought to maintain its traditionally strong ties with the region, Russia paradoxically does not have a long-term strategy for development of relations with the Western Balkans, but its advantages are seen in flexible actions and swift decisions. Russian politics in the Balkans have been sympathized by the ruling elites who largely relied on logic of bargaining by choosing the policy of alternatives instead of opportunities, consequently strengthening cooperation with Kremlin as an actor who provides greater benefits than others. At the same time, the semi-authoritarian leaders were sending a clear message to the West that cooperation with Moscow (or Beijing) was welcome as long as it did not threaten the political legitimacy of domestic ruling elites nor interfere in internal political affairs. |