Restoring British Leadership In The Western Balkans

Ahead of the Berlin Process Leader’s Summit in London tomorrow, this report lays bare Russia’s malign influence and the growing threat China poses to the Western Balkans.

With a foreword from Lord George Robertson, former NATO Secretary General and lead reviewer of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, the report sets out Russia’s influence network and paramilitary presence, as well as the growing economic influence of China, as clear challenges to UK and European security.

The report argues that if the UK government wishes to counter Russia’s malign influence on the continent but also the growing machinations of China, it must not forget about the Western Balkans – a vulnerable region of Europe which Russia could exploit as a second front, distracting the UK and its allies from the war in Ukraine.

 To effectively deter these threats, the report recommends that the UK:

• Spearhead the creation of a recently proposed Balkans Joint Expeditionary Force (BJEF).

• Sign transitional, bilateral security agreements with both Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to demonstrate a strong signal of the UK’s desire to press for NATO enlargement.

• Work with allies to invest directly in programs and start-ups in the region with the aim of incentivising local economic growth and stemming migration.

• Promote good governance and the rule of law in the Western Balkans to support Euro-Atlantic aspirations and reduce illegal migration flows.

• Partner with local actors to shore up support for democracy and pro-Western sentiments.

• Act as an honest broker in the region, offering to mediate disputes between EU member states and Western Balkans countries that affect the latter’s EU accession perspectives.

• Redouble diplomatic overtures to ensure the recognition of Kosovo’s statehood by the five EU and 4 NATO non-recognisers.