Renowned American professor and Balkans expert Daniel Serwer has raised alarms over recent statements by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and Washington’s military commitments abroad.
Serwer argues that Hegseth’s suggestion of a possible partition of Ukraine would have severe consequences for the Western Balkans, potentially emboldening Serbia to pursue territorial expansion in Bosnia and Kosovo.
A Dangerous Precedent
According to Serwer, such a policy shift would put both U.S. and European troops in the region at risk. He warns that a weak stance on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine would also signal to China that the U.S. is unwilling to defend Taiwan.
“A portion of this damage may have already been done with Hegseth’s speech,” Serwer stated, emphasizing the need for a firm Western response to prevent destabilization in the Balkans and beyond.
The warning comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, where Serbia’s nationalist rhetoric and support for separatist movements in Bosnia and Kosovo continue to raise concerns.
