EU leader slams Russia's 'hybrid war' aimed at undermining Western Balkan democracy

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday condemned Russia's hybrid attack against democracy, saying the European Union fights every day to discredit disinformation.

Von der Leyen was in Kosovo as part of a trip this week to EU aspirants in the Western Balkans to reassure them that EU enlargement remains a priority for the 27-nation bloc.

Von der Leyen criticized Russia's efforts to “destabilize these democracies,” adding that Brussels is working to spread propaganda “for the benefit of the entire region.”

“It is possible that we stand against the truth and openly and with very clear messages. So here we are fighting a hybrid attack led by Russia against democracy,” he said at a press conference in the capital, Pristina.

Von der Leyen came to Kosovo from neighboring Serbia, which has close ties to Russia and has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

He did not mention the 13-year EU-led dialogue to repair relations between Serbia and its former province, Kosovo, instead focusing on the bloc's efforts to improve the region's economy.

Kosovo-Serbia relations remain tense, even 25 years after NATO's 78-day bombing campaign in 1999 ended the war between Serbian government forces and ethnic Albanian separatists in Kosovo, which left around 13,000 people dead. especially ethnic Albanians. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Belgrade did not recognize.

Last year EU officials offered a 6 billion euro (about $6.5 billion) growth plan to the Western Balkans in an effort to double the region's economy over the next decade and speed up its efforts to join the bloc. That aid is subject to changes that will bring their economies into line with EU rules.

The countries of the Western Balkans – Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia – are at different stages of applying for EU membership. Countries have been frustrated by the slow pace of the process, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 encouraged European leaders to push for the six to join the bloc.

The Commission on Wednesday approved the reform agenda for Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia following the green light from EU member states. That was an important step to allow payments under the growth plan upon completion of the agreed remedial measures.

Von der Leyen's trip ends with a visit to Montenegro.