Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who led a delegation of US senators on a Balkan tour last week, spoke to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about her visit to the Balkans and the security situation, which was also attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Shaheen said that during his visit to the Western Balkans he found traces of Putin’s fingers and malignant Russian influence.

“After the aggression in Ukraine, Putin could try to cause chaos in other countries as well, and the fingerprints of his malignant influence can be found throughout the Western Balkans region. I am particularly concerned about the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is plagued by corruption, lack of leadership and a tripartite presidency. It is also a problematic security situation there. “We have met with representatives of EUFOR and NATO, and with everyone we spoke to raised concerns about Russia’s game to re-authorize EUFOR forces when it comes up as an issue now and there is no plan B what to do about it.” , said Shaheen.

After the senator, Secretary Blinken said that they are engaged in all aspects in the Western Balkans and underlined the urgency for the Western Balkans to integrate into the EU, especially after the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

“In general, with the Russian aggression in Ukraine, it underlines the urgency for the integration of these countries into the EU. We have been engaged in all its aspects, such as the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, or assistance to Albania and Northern Macedonia towards EU membership, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to which I share the same concerns as you. “An international force in Bosnia is essential to ensuring a secure environment in Bosnia.”

Senator Shaheen compared her visits to the Balkans in 2010 and 2022 and the situation then and now.

“I visited the Balkans in 2010, and I can say that in all the countries I have visited now, I am much more concerned about the political situation in the Balkans now than in 2010,” she said.