THE WESTERN BALKANS AS A POTENTIAL FORTHCOMING GROUND OF DESTABILIZATION AND WAR.

Following the February 24th, 2022, Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine, the rumours erupted that the Western Balkan countries are the next area of serious security concerns. Indeed, this region consisting of six states has witnessed much turmoil and civil wars during Yugoslavia‘s disintegration. After two decades of peace, the fuse in Ukraine has inspired nationalist efforts in Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina as if the time is coming to resettle disputes, regardless the bitter experience from the wars of 1990s. The European Union (EU) and almost all European countries except Belarus, joined the condemnation of Russia‘s aggression in Ukraine and imposed harsh sanctions against Russia. Serbia, found between EU perspective which it aspires to join and Russia‘s friendship or ally in the Balkans, reluctantly condemned the aggression. One of Serbia‘s primary reasons for such a ―balanced‖ politics between the EU and Russia, is her opposition to Kosovo‘s independence, with some Serb politicians making aggressive and threatening statements. While Kosovo is still under the protection of NATO-led KFOR, a more real threat of destabilization and war emerged in Bosnia-Herzegovina where the Serbs have 49% of the territory, makeup 30% of the total population, have their own Republic, and are warning for secession to join Serbia. In this paper, we investigate the past lessons, current threats, and consequences of resuming potential destabilization on national lines in the Western Balkans which recently have been fuelled and are influenced by similar claims of Russia against Ukraine – that Russians and Ukrainians are one people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]