Russia is using the poor financial situation in the regional media to increase its pressure on the Western Balkans. Official Moscow influences the Balkan countries through political parties, the Orthodox Church and part of the civil sector. This is stated, among other things, in the research of the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), which warns of the increased economic influence of Russia on the region.
In the research entitled "Russian economic influence on the Balkans", it is warned about the increasing presence of Russian propaganda in the regional media.
"Russia has taken advantage of financial problems and the low level of media freedom in Southeast Europe to push content that suits the Kremlin. They increased the economic dependence of the media through direct ownership or advertising and encouraged indirect political ties of the media to pro-Russian groups and interests. In this, they are helped by the lack of transparency in media ownership and weak control of conflicts of interest, which increases the dependence on large advertisers in a small market", according to the research of the organization based in Bulgaria.
It is also recalled that the influence of Russian capital in the region decreased after the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014, but that Russian companies now control between five and 10 percent of the regional economy, including the largest refineries. , fuel distribution networks, telecommunications and trade chains. The research warns that official Moscow sees the Balkans as an important part of the global competition strategy with the USA and the EU. The Center for the Study of Democracy points out that the Orthodox Church is one of the important links in strengthening Russian influence in the Balkans. The Church, as stated, is a spiritual mediator in the spread of Russian politics.
"Through the Orthodox Church, Russia is launching various initiatives under a religious veil. "Paradoxically, Russian and many Orthodox churches in the region were bastions of the former secret services, and now they are strengthening the influence of the Kremlin," the CSD claims.
Moscow's influence on the region, as explained in the research, is present through assistance to political parties and part of the civil sector. It is stated that Russia ensures political influence on the states of the region by helping the parties in power, as well as opposition parties that have effective channels of influence on the political scene. It is warned that such influence is particularly present in Montenegro, Serbia and Bulgaria.
"Russia is using issues around which there is division in the countries of the region. This happened during the strengthening of nationalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, anti-NATO protests in Montenegro and political turmoil in North Macedonia after the 2016 elections. "Russia supported groups that played a key role in fomenting internal conflicts with the aim of changing the state's strategic goals," the research reads.
In the CSD, they believe that official Moscow has successfully changed the socio-cultural narrative in numerous Balkan states, by depressing society's attitude towards Western values and state goals.
Moscow is said to be doing this by fueling discontent among the population and abusing the vulnerability of the liberal democratic system of governance.
"This is done through non-governmental organizations and quasi-political movements that receive money through official or secret channels. They are financed through Russian foundations or local Russian intermediaries, including banks. Such groups and organizations are tasked with confusing the public and opposing specific government decisions. These could be groups associated with football clubs or martial arts clubs that receive support from the Russians. These are internet trolls, bloggers as well as television show hosts. Their task is to spread misinformation", according to the CSD research.
Brussels must not neglect the Balkans
The research warns that the EU must strengthen its presence in the region if it wants to reduce Russia's influence on potential Union members. As stated, Brussels should be politically and economically present in the region.
"The Union should directly engage civil society in Southeast Europe in order to implement programs that strengthen the rule of law. Cooperation with national anti-money laundering agencies should be improved in order to monitor illicit financial flows. "Independent media regulators should be strengthened to be able to investigate ownership in the media and discover those who spread misinformation and propaganda under the radar," the research points out.
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