Launching event of the policy brief focusing on Russian Influence and the Security Implications of the War in Ukraine for the Western Balkans

The author of the study, Jeta Loshaj, Programme Manager at FES Kosovo, presented the findings of the policy brief. Maksim Samorukov, Research Fellow at Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, shared his thoughts on the question of Russian influence in the WB, followed by remarks by Ditmir Bushati, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs from Albania, as well as Dr. Aleksandar Spasov, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law “Ss Cyril and Methodius” from North Macedonia. The panel discussion was moderated by Teuta Avdimetaj, Lecturer and Chief Development Officer at RIT Kosovo.

As the Kremlin continues its traditional opportunistic approach in disrupting the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans through propaganda and the help of some local actors in the region, the recommendations of the policy brief call for collective regional, EU and NATO action in mitigating efforts for further external malign influence.