Bećirović: The Drina could be the new Berlin Wall

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović stated on N1's Pressing that they do not believe a war will break out in Ukraine, but he does not rule out "limited conflicts". Speaking about the establishment of some new Berlin Walls in Europe, he concluded that the Drina River could be one of them.

What is happening in Ukraine?

Moscow is trying to regain influence in the territory it calls "old Russia". It believes that this space belongs to them because Kyiv was once the capital of Russia.

Russia, some say, wants to extend from Triglav to Tokyo?

That is impossible. These areas interest Russia only to cause problems for the USA and Europe. Russia's goal is to strengthen its position in the former USSR states, which have "gotten out of control" and want to become or are members of NATO. Now Georgia also wants to be part of NATO, and this is a national security issue because the Alliance is approaching Russia's border.

Will there be a war in Ukraine?

I don't think there will be an actual war. Russia controls a third of Ukraine and perhaps there will be some consolidation of that area. And if there is a conflict, it will be limited.

Will tensions spill over to the Balkans?

We know what happened 30 years ago, but that's why everything is being alarmed to prevent war. Most people do not want conflict.

Will there be any new Berlin Walls in Europe?

The Drina River could be that kind of wall. Bosnia and Herzegovina is definitely in the Western sphere. BiH is important because NATO has "rounded off" its territories in warm seas like the Adriatic. Only Neum remains.

An American aircraft carrier in the Adriatic?

The USA is preventing Russia from accessing warm seas. That is why the Persian Gulf is important, among other things. They are also not allowing Russians to access warm seas there.