Russia in the Western Balkans

The Western Balkans have emerged as a front in Russia's geopolitical confrontation with the West. Building on close historical ties, Moscow is taking advantage of the political and economic difficulties to expand its influence, potentially undermining the region's stability.

Author: Martin Russell

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Europe needs to ‘do more’ in the Western Balkans but what does that mean for security? (ELN: Article, June 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-needs-to-do-more-in-the-western-balkans-but-what-does-that-mean-for-security/

ESO: Background information: Russia ups its game in the Balkans, but the West should avoid responding in kind (EuroppBlog, 15.05.17) http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-ups-its-game-in-the-balkans-but-the-west-should-avoid-responding-in-kind/

Fostering resilience in the Western Balkans (EUISS Brief No.18, June 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/fostering-resilience-in-the-western-balkans/

Carnegie House: Strategic Europe, 03.11.17: Russia’s Tactics in the Western Balkans http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/74612?lang=en

ECFR: Policy Brief, April 2018: Do the Western Balkans face a coming Russian storm? http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR250_do_the_western_balkans_face_a_coming_russian_storm.pdf

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