Joksimovic: Countering Russian influence a key element of the UK’s Agenda in the Western Balkans

Former Serbian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Aleksandra Joksimovic, told Kosovo Online that, following its departure from the European Union, the UK lost certain levers of influence in the Western Balkans—a region where it seeks to maintain an active presence. One of the prominent issues on its agenda, she emphasized, is countering the further spread of influence by the Russian Federation.

Considering that London will host the upcoming Berlin Process Summit in October—an initiative launched by Germany that brings together the six Western Balkan countries—Joksimovic noted that the UK, together with Germany as an EU member, had long been among the strongest advocates of EU enlargement.

“The war in Ukraine has brought many issues back to the fore, including a reassessment of the UK’s relationship with the EU. Security has become a key concern for both Brussels and other EU capitals, as well as London. At this moment, for the United Kingdom, deterring third-party influence—particularly preventing further expansion of Russian influence—ranks high on its agenda for the Western Balkans,” Joksimovic explained.

She added that the UK had expressed concern for the region’s stability even before the crisis in Ukraine, with a particular focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina. A significant number of senior UK officials visited the country to better understand the direction of its internal political dynamics.

“Naturally, the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue has also remained high on the UK’s agenda. As a direct consequence of Brexit, the UK appointed its first Special Envoy for the Western Balkans. That role is now held by Dame Karen Pierce, a seasoned diplomat who has served in two of the most important diplomatic postings—New York and Washington. She has been tasked with organizing the next Berlin Process Summit in London this October,” the former ambassador stated.

Given that the Berlin Process entails coordination among all participating parties, Joksimovic does not believe the UK will pursue a unilateral initiative within the platform.

“I am quite certain that intensive diplomatic consultations are currently underway—not only regarding the summit agenda but also in shaping the direction of discussions related to the continuation of EU enlargement. Furthermore, the issue of migration will be among the key topics in London. Migration crises have been unsettling all EU capitals, including London. With indications of renewed conflict in Syria, there are concerns about the potential for a new wave of migration, possibly along the Western Balkan route once again,” she noted.

Joksimovic reminded that this would not be the first time the UK hosts a Berlin Process summit, recalling that the 2018 summit in London concluded with then–Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigning—"stealing the show" from the Berlin Process itself.