“Trump the Serb”: Removing Russian energy from Western Balkans a strategic interest of US

US President Donald Trump has signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), of which the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity section is an integral part.

The section “Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity” also states that the dependence of the countries of the region on Russian sources of fossil fuels and natural gas ties their economies and policies to Russia and hinders their aspirations for European integration.

– Reducing the reliance of the Western Balkans on Russian natural gas supplies and fossil fuels is in the national interest of the United States. The growing influence of China in the Western Balkans could also have a deleterious impact on strategic competition, democracy, and economic integration with Europe – the section states.

Among other things, it also states that the state of democracy in Serbia is worrying and that the conditions for holding elections are unfair.

The Act, parts of which relate to the Western Balkans and Serbia, also considers accusations by Serbian officials that peaceful protesters, opposition parties and civil society are “attempting to destabilize the government” as worrying.

Donald Trump

National Defense Authorization Act

Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity