"Putin's Gift": The Russian Federation provokes a new war in Europe: the event should intervene - Foreign Affairs

Former American intelligence officer David Shedd and Ivan Stredner, who explores Russian strategies and military doctrines, warn that the event should prevent the Russian president from bringing a long -standing conflict between Serbia and Kosovo on a new round. In September, Washington noted the unprecedented increase in Serbian troops on the border with Kosovo in the background of growing. This was preceded by the clashes between 30 well -armed ethnic Serbs and a patrol in Kosovo.

As a result, there are four dead. Much indicates that it is not just a consequence of the usual tension that has been persisted in recent years. And against the background of the war in Israel, the incident in the Balkans went virtually unnoticed, the authors of the publication evaluate this event as alarming. The article describes in detail the bilateral relations of the Russian Federation and Serbia and why the Kremlin seeks to blow the flame of historical conflict.

"Moscow, which does not recognize Kosovo's independence, blows the flames through information operations to sow distrust between Serbs and Covenants and spread the aggressive message to polarize the region through ethnic and religious lines," the publication reads. The increase in tension between Serbia and Kosovo, which declared its independence in 2008, will create an additional burden on NATO resources and undermine the USA in Europe.

The new war on the European continent means that Western assistance will be reduced. For the world community, it will be another point on the map that will distract from the military plans of the Russian Federation for Ukraine, which will become "even a greater gift for Putin. " Putin wants Moscow to be the only reliable beam in the Balkans, and this will give the Kremlin levers of influence in Western countries.

Serbia President Alexander Vuchich, who expands his ties with the Russian Federation from the beginning of the war in Ukraine, also receives political benefits from tension in the Balkans - a way to prove its political significance and maintain control. Vicich needs Putin's help. Belgrade benefits from preferential Russian energy, and more, Serbia and the Russian Federation support cooperation in the military-technical industry.

"Russia has also armed Serbia and has achieved even more dependence of Serbia's energy system on its companies, by supplying oil and gas at a low price. Moscow promised Belgrade that will block Kosovo's attempts to enter the EU," the authors said, adding that warnings from the Russian MFA. Sergiy Lavrov that another explosion is growing in Europe in Europe can be nothing more than a bravad.

The Russian Federation blows the flames of the Serbian-Kosovsky conflict, the propaganda of Belgrade sounds in the Russian media. Putin also tries to justify the occupation of the Ukrainian territories by Kosovo independence. NATO should create a coalition led by the United States, which could put pressure on Belgrade and Moscow to stop trying to destabilize the situation.