The Western Balkans could become Putin's next target - media.

Leaders of the Western Balkans and the United Kingdom express concern that Vladimir Putin could exploit tensions in the region to take advantage of the fractures in the former Yugoslavia, Politico reports.

Senior officials in the UK refer to the Western Balkans as a 'hot spot'. In light of the deteriorating situation, the UK emphasizes the need for all six countries in the region to join the European Union to prevent Russian influence.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who recently visited the Western Balkans, believes that Putin's interests in the region revolve around keeping it destabilized, as well as conducting cyber and hybrid warfare.

'At a Time when Europe is at war, and we see the long arm of Russian interference in the region, it would be unwise to take our eyes off the Western Balkans, where there are issues that still need to be addressed,' Lammy emphasized in an interview with Politico.

Foreign policy experts and ministers fear that the Kremlin may try to exploit ethnic and religious tensions to stir unrest in the Balkans, solidifying its interests and creating even more problems for the EU.

Experts estimate that there is now little time, and Balkan countries need to overcome indecision before Brussels fully focuses on Ukraine's EU accession process.

'Now they need to move forward; otherwise, they risk becoming a playground for Russia,' a British official said on condition of anonymity.

All six countries of the Western Balkans aspire to become EU members, but this is a lengthy process dependent on geopolitical factors and the fulfillment of integration tasks. The countries in the region face significant internal and external challenges.

Regarding Serbia, Lammy believes that despite a retreat from democracy, increased ties with Russia, and a refusal to recognize Kosovo, the country genuinely aspires to join the EU, having started this process back in 2009.

'But there are differing views on how fast and seriously to move in this direction. There is a more positive vision, and there is a more pessimistic one. This is a vision of oligarchy, corruption, and harsh state control that resembles more of a police state. Such a vision exists,' the British minister noted.

Analysis:

Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation continue to use their influence to destabilize regions of interest, such as the Western Balkans. The UK considers this region a 'hot spot' and emphasizes the necessity of its accession to the European Union to reduce Russian influence. Increasing ethnic and religious tensions in the region create a favorable environment for inciting discord and unrest, and Russia may exploit these gaps for its own advantageous interests. The European Union needs to focus more quickly on supporting the integration of Balkan countries to ensure their stability and protect them from Russian influence.