Putin's actions are exacerbating regional tensions as Blinken arrives in Albania: 'grim outlook'

On Thursday, Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, arrived in Tirana to emphasize Albania's significance in U.S. foreign policy during the current unstable period in the Balkans.

Yuri Kim, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasian Affairs, stated at a State Department briefing that the upcoming visit to Albania and Germany will focus on the future of both countries.

According to a senior diplomat with expertise in the region, there is a high probability of conflict in the Western Balkans this year, as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić have targeted Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. The U.S. is aware of this, the diplomat claims, which is why there are military asset build-ups and the sale of military equipment to Kosovo.

The likelihood of ethnic tensions resulting in a conflict in the Balkans is growing. Russia and Serbia, both of which have not acknowledged Kosovo's independence, seem to be contributing to the instability in the region, according to Rebekah Koffler, a former defense intelligence analyst, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Blinken will reaffirm the strength of US relations with Albania, a key partner for stability in the Western Balkans and a firm ally in supporting Ukraine's sovereignty in its war against Russia.

The Western Balkans have been facing challenges, and some observers think the region is on the brink of another conflict.

In 2022, the U.S. established a forward operating headquarters in Albania to serve as a base for operations in the Balkans and aid Albania and other regional allies in countering Russian influence and disinformation. Russia has been particularly active in Montenegro, where Moscow sought to undermine the small nation's efforts to join NATO and move closer to Europe.

The diplomat stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that this could be the beginning of efforts to limit Serbia's influence and Russian involvement in the Balkans by strengthening NATO allies and combating hybrid and disinformation operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Agim Nesho, the former Albanian Ambassador to the U.S. and the United Nations, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Prime Minister Rama's limited influence in Kosovo, particularly with Prime Minister Albin Kurti, makes the situation more complicated. Additionally, Nesho pointed out that Rama's close collaboration with Vučić on multiple projects in the region has damaged his credibility, making him an ineffective mediator in Kosovo's eyes.

Rama is a co-leader of the "Open Balkans" initiative, which aims to facilitate a freer flow of people and goods across the Balkans. However, many people in Albania and across the Balkans are opposed to the initiative due to concerns that it is a Serbian plot to undermine the common regional market of Europe and threaten the Balkan countries' aspirations to join the EU.

Nesho stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Secretary Blinken's visit, despite appearing to be supportive, takes place at a time when the State Department's long-standing support for the Open Balkan initiative, which relies on the Rama-Vučić partnership as catalysts for regional stability, is being questioned.

Nesho stated that Vučić's preference for Russia and Rama's diminished leadership, which has resulted in a loss of support among the Albanian people, create a dismal outlook.

Despite being an authoritarian Marxist country with strained relations with the U.S. during the Cold War, Albania is now one of the most pro-U.S. countries in Europe and has a significant diaspora community in the U.S. Additionally, Albania is a crucial NATO ally and strategic partner in resolving the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia.

While some experts and observers in the region argue that Albania receives little attention from President Biden and Western policymakers despite its efforts to consolidate its democracy, the region has been overshadowed by Ukraine's fight against Russian forces and Israel's war against Hamas.

Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the U.S. delegation at the Munich Security Conference, and Blinken will also attend as part of the delegation.

Requests to the Albanian government for comment were not returned by press time.