Between the West and Russia: The Dangerous Crossroads of the Western Balkans

The Western Balkans remains the most dangerous geopolitical crossroads, as the countries have major differences of opinion regarding their strategic orientation. A survey commissioned by the American Republican Institute (IRI) and conducted between February and March of this year shows differences in perceptions of the global East and West, or even how they are viewed as neighboring countries. While for Kosovo and Albania proximity to the West is the most important thing, for Serbia Russia seems to be the most important priority.

Although all six countries of the Western Balkans are in the process of joining the European Union (EU), a union of the global West, research shows that Russia continues to be viewed with admiration by a significant proportion of the region’s inhabitants.

Serbia with Russia – a threat to the region

When asked about the future course of foreign policy, ethnic Albanians in the region are more pro-Western. In first place is Kosovo, where 87% of citizens believe that the country should pursue an exclusively EU-friendly and Western foreign policy. The second country is Albania, where 87% of respondents supported the pro-Western policy.

In other countries of the Western Balkans, support for a pro-Western policy is below 50%. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, 39% of respondents believe that the country should only pursue a pro-EU and pro-West policy, 44