Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian
involvement in the region?

V 2021

Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?

VUČKOVIĆ, Vladimir

Basic information

Original name

Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?

Name in Czech

Na západním Balkáně stále záleží: Pochopení ruské účasti v regionu?

Name (in English)

Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?

Authors

VUČKOVIĆ, Vladimir

Edition

3 pp. 2021

Publisher

Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI)

Other information

Type of outcome

Výzkumná zpráva

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Keywords (in Czech)

Západní Balkán, Rusko, geostrategie, lehká síla

Keywords in English

Western Balkans, Russia, geostrategy, soft power

Abstract

V originále

This article is based on the central argument that Russia perceives the Western Balkans as a zone of political confrontation in its broader rivalry with the West, where it seeks to undermine the achievements of the EU and NATO. After 9/11 and the US decision to stop treating the Balkans as one of its priority geostrategic areas and start fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, Russia was unexpectedly given the opportunity to fill a geopolitical vacuum in the Balkans, relying greatly on opportunistic tactics. Although Moscow has sought to maintain its traditionally strong ties with the region, Russia paradoxically does not have a long-term strategy for development of relations with the Western Balkans, but its advantages are seen in flexible actions and swift decisions. Russian politics in the Balkans have been sympathized by the ruling elites who largely relied on logic of bargaining by choosing the policy of alternatives instead of opportunities, consequently strengthening cooperation with Kremlin as an actor who provides greater benefits than others. At the same time, the semi-authoritarian leaders were sending a clear message to the West that cooperation with Moscow (or Beijing) was welcome as long as it did not threaten the political legitimacy of domestic ruling elites nor interfere in internal political affairs.

Citovat

VUČKOVIĆ, Vladimir. Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region? Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI), 2021, 3 pp.

@misc{1792436,
   author = {Vučković, Vladimir},
   keywords = {Western Balkans, Russia, geostrategy, soft power},
   publisher = {Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI)},
   title = {Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?},
   url = {https://www.balkancrossroads.com/russian-involvement-in-the-western-balkans},
   year = {2021}
}

TY  - GEN
ID  - 1792436
AU  - Vučković, Vladimir
PY  - 2021
TI  - Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?
PB  - Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI)
KW  - Western Balkans, Russia, geostrategy, soft power
UR  - https://www.balkancrossroads.com/russian-involvement-in-the-western-balkans
N2  - This article is based on the central argument that Russia perceives the Western Balkans as a zone of political confrontation in its broader rivalry with the West, where it seeks to undermine the achievements of the EU and NATO. After 9/11 and the US decision to stop treating the Balkans as one of its priority geostrategic areas and start fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, Russia was unexpectedly given the opportunity to fill a geopolitical vacuum in the Balkans, relying greatly on opportunistic tactics. Although Moscow has sought to maintain its traditionally strong ties with the region, Russia paradoxically does not have a long-term strategy for development of relations with the Western Balkans, but its advantages are seen in flexible actions and swift decisions. Russian politics in the Balkans have been sympathized by the ruling elites who largely relied on logic of bargaining by choosing the policy of alternatives instead of opportunities, consequently strengthening cooperation with Kremlin as an actor who provides greater benefits than others. At the same time, the semi-authoritarian leaders were sending a clear message to the West that cooperation with Moscow (or Beijing) was welcome as long as it did not threaten the political legitimacy of domestic ruling elites nor interfere in internal political affairs.
ER  -

VUČKOVI$\backslash$'C, Vladimir. \textit{Western Balkans still matters: Understanding Russian involvement in the region?}. Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI), 2021, 3 pp.

Detailed Information on Publication Record