An Analysis Of Russia's Western Balkan Policy

The Western Balkans have always been a high-risk area of geopolitical tension.After the collapse of the Soviet Union,Russia's political and economic influence waned and its involvement in the western Balkans was lower.After the new century,Russia replayed its role in the region,invested a lot of resources,gradually formed its diplomatic and political influence network,and became an important player in the region once again.Russia sees strong ties to the Western Balkans,both in its ethnic ties to the Slavs and in its role as a protector of Orthodox Christians.Russia's infiltration in the western Balkans is linked to the continued eastward expansion of the European Union and NATO,and can be said to be the product of its deep-rooted geopolitical insecurity.In order to maintain its own security pattern,Russia has taken corresponding phased policies and actions.In the period when the EU looked inward and paid more attention to serious domestic challenges,including refugees and economic crisis,Russia seized the opportunity and implemented the strategy and policy of low-cost budget to build a strategic layout in the "peripheral region",to ensure its role in regional security,and then to protect the core interest region--the Commonwealth of Independent States,especially the European part.In addition,the balance of power and the geopolitical environment in the Western Balkans region are slowly but continuously changing as external actors continue to grow.Therefore,this paper chooses Russia and the Western Balkans as the research objects,analyzes the driving factors of Russia's policies change in the region,strategic objectives and tools of influence,and makes predictions on the future trend of the Western Balkans.Finally,this paper will put forward its own views on the basis of these analyses.