Russia: ‘Britain is in a panic’, says TV presenter
The news comes as the war in Ukraine continues amid fears the conflict could spread to Europe, with Russian President Vladimir Putin constantly sending warnings to neighboring countries. While many countries have openly condemned the invasion of Ukraine, several have quietly remained loyal to Putin, including Serbia, where pro-Putin demonstrations have been seen.
At NATO’s request, British military experts are now heading to the Balkans, as announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The team will send a British military counter-disinformation expert and a civilian strategic defense adviser to train the armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
Johnson said: “We cannot allow the Western Balkans to become a new playground for Putin’s pernicious pursuits.
“By fanning the flames of secession and sectarianism, Russia is trying to undo the achievements of the last three decades in Bosnia and Herzegovina, achievements that have brought greater stability to our entire continent.”
Mr Johnson added: “That is why we are stepping up support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and answering the call of our friends to protect the peace they so rightly deserve to enjoy.”
Putin is spreading his web in Bosnia through the Serb community (Image: Getty)
Serbs hold pro-Russian demonstration (Image: Getty)
European Union officials doubled the size of EUFOR Force troops to 1,100 at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in a bid to potentially stem instability in several regions of Europe.
Speaking of Europe’s stability and security at the time, EU foreign policy head Josep Borrell warned Putin an indirect warning: “For anyone thinking of destabilizing Europe and the Western Balkans, my message is clear: Operation [EUFOR] Althea is here to prevent it.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina has found itself in a delicate situation since the election of pro-Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who recently pledged to stick to plans to expel the Serb half of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian Republic, but just wait for the right moment.
Russia has been accused of meddling in BiH in light of the pro-Serb sentiment manifested in some parts of the country.
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Boris Johnson steps up support for Bosnia at NATO’s request (Image: Getty)
Milorad Dodik has seen the idea of separating the Serb parts of Bosnia (Image: Getty)
The impact of Russian influence in Bosnia was brought up by US Senator Chris Murphy during a trip to the Balkans.
He said: “If Putin is pushed into a corner, he will look for other places to try and get victories.
“And one of them might be Bosnia.”
For centuries, Russia nurtured deep brotherly ties to the Serbs of the Balkans – sustained by their Slavic and Orthodox heritage along with their steadfast alliances during the World Wars of the 20th century.
NATO’s intervention in the Balkans in the 1990s – first in Bosnia and later against Serbia during the Kosovo war – has long been viewed by the Kremlin as a humiliating provocation.
Since then, Russia has sought to increase its local influence with the Bosnian Serbs.
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Senator Chris Murphy Says Putin Is Looking For Wins Elsewhere (Image: Getty)
Like Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s accession to NATO, Moscow has expressed concern over Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession with Russia’s ambassador in Sarajevo and warned it will “respond” if Bosnia joins.
The embassy also warned the West about maneuvers that could destabilize Bosnia.
An expert on the Balkans, Srecko Latal, said that outside influences were filling powerful vacuums in BiH.
He said: “The Balkans have been destabilized mainly by the absence of the EU.
“The presence of Russia and any other foreign influence, Chinese, Turkish or some Gulf countries is the result”.
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Bosnia has come under the influence of many external parties, says an expert (Image: Getty)
However, Mr Latal says that the war in Ukraine has led the EU and the US to strengthen ties and exchange ideas when it comes to Bosnia.
He ended with a warning: “This Russian threat seems to have really forced the United States and the EU to take a more serious approach and to understand the situation in Bosnia and in the rest of the Balkans.
“Russia has enough local infrastructure and local followers throughout the Balkans to try and destabilize the region further — if it wants to.”
Follow Express.co.uk Defense and Security Correspondent James Lee on Twitter @JamesLee_DE