After Zelensky's alarm of war in the region, the US: Western Balkans in the EU, reduces the chances of Russian influence

Russia's war against Ukraine underlines the urgency and importance of the work of the United States "to help the countries of the Western Balkans fulfill their aspirations for European integration and Euro-Atlantic membership". This is confirmed by the US Department of State in a response to the Voice of America regarding the alarm raised by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, that he had information that Russia could incite a conflict in our region.

"We are committed to working with the countries of the Western Balkans, our European partners and the international community to advance governance, rule of law, electoral and anti-corruption reforms that would reduce the chances of malign Russian influence and would bring lasting peace, stability and well-being to the region," DASH told VOA.

The DASH spokesperson further added that the sanctions recently announced by the US government last week were aimed at this very problem, the intersection between Russian malign influence and corruption. The official underlined that both of these phenomena hinder the efforts of the countries of the Western Balkans to advance towards EU membership. The spokesman said that for our region but also for all other countries in Europe, the result of Russia's war against Ukraine is of great importance, which is threatening the foundations of international order and security./VOA