The former Albanian Prime Minister, Pandeli Majko, has said that the war in Ukraine has had many consequences in the Western Balkans.
At the conference organized by the "OCTOPUS" Institute, Majko said that the war has fueled nationalist sentiment and increased tensions between ethnic groups.
"The war in Ukraine has had multiple and complex impacts on the Balkans. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had consequences in the Balkans, influencing the politics, economy and security of the region. The war has fueled nationalist sentiment in the region, increasing tensions between ethnic groups and affecting political stability," said Majko.
Majko has added that because of the war in Ukraine, the Balkan countries have been forced to review their foreign and security policies, engaging more with the EU and NATO.
He added that in the Western Balkans, some countries have increased their distance from Moscow, while others have moved closer to it.
"Currently, official Serbian policy is using the relationship with Kosovo to promote national unity, but this has also encouraged nationalist extremism. This extremism will turn into a danger for the Serbian society itself", said the former Albanian prime minister.
Regarding the aggression in Banjska in September last year, Majko said that "The failed action in Banjska put official Serbia in a difficult position. The event in Banjska will require a lot of commitment to prove that it was an illegal act. Banjska did not hide the hint that it was a serious attempt to create a Serbian Donbas in Kosovo".
Majko further emphasized that the situation in Ukraine has also encouraged an increase in disinformation and propaganda with influences from Russia. /Telegraph/
