RUSSIA proposes the creation of a joint security force for the Balkans, including Kosovo, to curb the destabilizing influence of Russia and Serbia in the Region.
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) warns that decades of peace-building in the Western Balkans could be undermined by Russia’s “shadow” activities, including its destabilizing involvement in Kosovo and Bosnia. In a detailed analysis, RUSI points out that, as long as Kosovo and Bosnia remain outside NATO, they are particularly vulnerable to interference from Serbia and Russia – which could lead to further destabilization and potentially even open conflict. In this context, RUSI proposes the creation of a Balkans Joint Expeditionary Force (BJEF), similar to the successful model created by the United Kingdom in Northern Europe.
This initiative would include seven countries in the Region, including Kosovo, and would aim to increase military cooperation, strengthen defense capabilities, and create a permanent coordination mechanism for security.
According to RUSI, in addition to its direct role in protecting Kosovo and Bosnia from threats from Serbia and Russia, the BJEF would also help in the Region’s Euro-Atlantic integration process and would serve as a clear signal to authoritarians like Vučić and Putin that the West remains committed to maintaining stability in the Balkans. In the case of Kosovo, the BJEF could work alongside KFOR to curb tensions in the north and strengthen security in Serb-majority areas, including joint patrols and the fight against organized crime. RUSI believes that a more active role for Britain in the Region, through this force, would increase its diplomatic weight and provide a European-led solution to security challenges on the continent.