U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, has warned about the security risks posed by Russia’s activities in the Balkans, particularly its ties with Serbia and Republika Srpska.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on September 17, Shaheen discussed the new U.S. sanctions legislation targeting Russia, Ukraine’s military needs, Russian hybrid warfare and Moscow’s activities along NATO’s eastern flank. She also addressed the potential for instability in the Balkans.
“Pressure on Putin”
Shaheen said the sanctions legislation, which passed the Senate by 86 votes to 11 and the House by 262–159, is intended to target Russia’s financial sector, individuals close to Vladimir Putin and the oil and gas revenues helping finance the war against Ukraine. The legislation also authorizes tariffs of up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, subject to certain conditions.
Shaheen said she hoped the measures would send a strong message not only to Moscow, but also to countries such as China and India that continue to purchase Russian energy.
She also said Washington should continue providing Ukraine with air-defense interceptors, Starlink connectivity and other assistance while preparing for another difficult winter.
According to Shaheen, the United States and its allies should continue increasing pressure on Moscow to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
“Hybrid warfare has been going on for some time”
Shaheen said Russia’s hybrid warfare has intensified and includes drones, cyberattacks, sabotage and other activities beyond the battlefield in Ukraine.
She also pointed to Russian activity along NATO’s eastern flank, saying Moscow is testing the Baltics and Poland. She cited a U.S. congressional hearing in which Serbia’s role as a reported transit point for Russians connected to an incident in Leipzig was discussed. RFE/RL noted that German authorities are investigating suspected Russian intelligence involvement in an August drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Shaheen argued that the United States and its European allies need to strengthen their ability to respond to hybrid threats.
Concern over the Balkans
Asked specifically about potential instability involving Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Shaheen identified what she described as the links between Serbia, Serbs in Republika Srpska and Russia, as well as what she characterized as their interest in destabilizing the region.
“It is the affiliation that Serbia and Serbians in the Republic of Srpska have with Russia and their interest in destabilizing the region,” Shaheen said.
She added that Russia could view instability in the Balkans as a potential “second front.”
Shaheen said the United States and its allies should work to preserve stability in the region and make clear that NATO and EUFOR are closely monitoring developments.
“We have a NATO presence in Kosovo. We have EUFOR mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina,” she said, adding that these missions should remain highly alert.
Shaheen declines to comment on Thaçi verdict
Asked about the recent conviction and 25-year sentence handed to former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, Shaheen declined to comment.
“I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to look at that issue, so I can’t comment on that,” she said.
Shaheen instead focused on the broader regional security picture, arguing that developments from Ukraine and the Baltic region to the Balkans should be viewed as interconnected elements of a wider European security challenge.
She said Russia is cooperating with China, Iran and North Korea and argued that the United States should do more to counter what she described as these interconnected threats.
