UK Foreign Affairs Committee: Russia supports Serb paramilitary structures in BiH

LONDON, (Patria) - Russia supports Serb paramilitary structures in BiH and is a strong ally of Republika Srpska entity president Milorad Dodik, according to the Report of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee, N1 reports.

As stated in the Report, "external actors such as Russia, China and Turkey have filled the void created by the EU's neglect of the Western Balkans over the past 10 years. Many have added that, unlike Chinese and Turkish influence, Russian influence in the region is weak, mostly due to the country's weak economic presence.

Despite this, Russia is capable of exploiting regional problems and threatening regional progress towards peace, prosperity and, ultimately, EU and NATO membership."

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office stated that one of the biggest threats facing this region is "increased Russian interference in the Western Balkans, as seen in the attempted coup in Montenegro in October 2016," which they describe as a "clever example of Russian appetite for risk and willingness to attempt disruption."

The Ministry also emphasizes Russian support for destabilizing activities of political leaders in Republika Srpska, citing media reports from early 2018 "that local police are buying long guns" from Russia, fueling fears of Russia's ability to destabilize the fragile peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- The Ministry's assessment of the Russian threat was echoed by several interviewees who provided written and oral evidence. Sir Robert Cooper said: As elsewhere, the Russians are very good at worsening bad situations. That is one of their skills in which they excel. This area has many bad situations and they are working on them. Tena Prelec said that 'Russia plays its game in the Balkans very well'. Michael Taylor from Oxford Analytica holds a similar opinion - the Report states.

They also state that many have testified to Russian support for Milorad Dodik, who "began to 'threaten to hold a referendum on secession from BiH'," says Dimitar Bechev.

Fiona McIlwham from the Western Balkans Unit at the Ministry said that the Ministry is "very concerned about the situation in Bosnia," where tensions between the three main ethnic groups have risen. She said that the Ministry is particularly concerned about the procurement of long guns in RS but could not offer more information.

- Interviewees assessed the final agreement between Greece and Macedonia as extremely good, but emphasized that the problems of the Western Balkans are deeply rooted in the Western Balkans and that the path to the EU will be very long and full of interruptions, with no guarantees of success. Russia is ready to do everything it can to hinder the Western Balkans' path to stability and democracy.

This is evident in Russia's support for the coup in Montenegro in 2016 and in Russia's attempts to supply weapons to militant groups in BiH. There is also concern that Russia will try to hinder the signing of the agreement between Greece and Macedonia on changing Macedonia's name. Specifically, Russia may support holding a referendum in Macedonia on the aforementioned agreement - the Report of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee states, among other things.