Russia expects that the administration of US President Joe Biden will have enough political will and reason not to turn the Balkans into another front of the anti-Russian confrontation. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with the Bosnian newspaper Oslobodenje on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
Commenting on the thesis of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a "victim of the Russian-American confrontation", Lavrov said that Russia does not solve its problems at the expense of anyone's interests and does not put partners in a completely wrong choice "either with us or against us." The position is well known - regional problems need regional solutions based on inclusive dialogue and taking into account the positions of all stakeholders. At the same time, I must point out that lately Washington has been avoiding discussing with us not only BiH but the Balkan issue as a whole. We hope that the Biden administration has enough political will and reason not to turn the Balkans into another front of the anti-Russian confrontation, otherwise it will have catastrophic consequences for Europe as a whole," he said.
Asked what Russia's main interest in the Balkans was, Lavrov said it was peace, security and stability in the region. "We must not look for any hidden meaning in Russian politics. This is in vain. We are cooperating with everyone on an equal, mutually respectful, transparent basis, on the principles of international law, especially the UN Charter," he said.
According to him, the myth of Moscow's "harmful influence" is "frankly fabricated." "With perseverance worthy of better goals, this myth is encouraged by local Russophobes to poison the atmosphere of cooperation in the region. This would probably be in the interest of individual non-regional players who prefer to "fish in murky waters."
Putting the Balkan states in front of an artificial choice "either the European Union or Russia" is counterproductive and unfair. This provokes the formation of new dividing lines in the region, hinders cooperation, "Lavrov said.
The Russian Foreign Minister drew attention to the fact that the will of the citizens of the Balkan states is often deliberately ignored. "Look at what this has led to in Montenegro, which has literally been dragged into NATO, contrary to the majority's opinion. Why break with a knee and forcibly push the Euro-Atlantic agenda? By the way, everyone remembers very well." "What NATO members did in the region in the 1990s. Unfortunately, the consequences of the depleted uranium bombings will be felt by many generations of locals," he explained.
Lavrov also noted that Serbia is a key partner of Russia in the Balkans, and Moscow appreciates the strategic partnership with Belgrade and is working to improve bilateral ties overall. Russia's branched relations with Croatia, a member of not only the European Union but also NATO, the Russian foreign minister added, are a clear example of how mutually beneficial relations can thrive if there is a mutual desire to do so. "We are interested in promoting a positive agenda with Macedonia and Albania," he added.
"With regard to Kosovo - for obvious reasons it should not be included in the general order - the Russian position is well known. We support the achievement of a viable and mutually acceptable solution by Belgrade and Pristina on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. "It must be approved by the Security Council, as it is about ensuring international peace," Lavrov said.
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