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Russian influence continues to be a threat/US warns of instability in the Western Balkans

2026-03-19 18:28:28, Kosova & Bota CNA

Russian influence continues to be a threat/US warns of instability in the

US intelligence agencies warned, in their latest annual report, that the Western Balkans remains an area of ??heightened political tensions and external influences, highlighting Russia's role in destabilizing the region.

The "Annual Threat Assessment 2026" report, published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence of the United States, states that the war in Ukraine has deepened the divisions between the West and Moscow, which is also reflected in the Balkans.

According to the report, Russia “foments instability between Serbia, which it favors, and Kosovo,” but also “supports the separation of the Serbian entity, Republika Srpska, from Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

American intelligence services assess that ethnic and political divisions in the region remain pronounced and pose a potential security risk, especially when combined with the influence of foreign actors.

The Western Balkans is described in the report as a space where the interests of great powers collide, while existing crises and unresolved disputes, including relations between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as internal political relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, remain major sources of instability, the report published on March 18 said.

The US intelligence community report also warns of a broader range of threats in Europe, including political influence, disinformation and efforts to undermine the security architecture, considering the Balkans as a particularly sensitive area.

The document also warns of more global threats, including growing competition between great powers, particularly between the US, China and Russia, as well as the rapid development of cyberattacks and technologies that can be used to destabilize states.

It also highlights the risks from terrorism, organized crime and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which continue to pose long-term security challenges.

The report also warns of a threat from terrorism, particularly from individuals or small groups inspired by extremist ideology, operating without direct connection to organized networks.

Although the capacities of major terrorist organizations have been weakened, the risk of low-intensity attacks remains present, including in Europe, the report says./ REL