US Senator Shaheen: Russia sees the Western Balkans as a potential «second front», Serbia as a «transit station»

US Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen has said that Russia has an interest in destabilizing the Western Balkans, which Moscow sees as a potential «second front» in its confrontation with the West. In an interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE), given on Thursday, Shaheen said that in this context Serbia is seen as a kind of «transit station» (usputna stanica) for Russian activities in the region.

Shaheen, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, said the United States must make sure Russia understands that American forces in the region are on high alert and are closely monitoring developments. She noted that NATO forces in Kosovo and the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina are on high alert.

Speaking about concerns over possible instability involving Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the senator mentioned the link between Serbia and the Serbs of Republika Srpska with Russia. She also added that Serbia has served as a transit point for Russians during an attack in Leipzig, after which they returned to Serbia.

Shaheen stressed the importance of confronting Russian hybrid warfare wherever possible, in the interest of America and its European allies.

Source: Autonomija (RSE)