"Serbia flirts with China, but bows to Russia": European observer on the possibility of a new round of the Balkan wars

The Balkan Wars, starting with the conflict in Slovenia, raged for a decade. The Dayton Peace Agreement ended hostilities in Bosnia in 1995, but then the war in Kosovo began, which lasted until 1999, and in 2001 there was a serious outbreak of violence in what is now North Macedonia.

Overall, the wars in the Balkans have claimed the lives of over 100 people, led to the migration of millions of people and set the region's economic and social development back decades. Although the former Yugoslavia existed mainly on credit, it provided its citizens with a higher standard of living than other socialist regimes. The country's long, violent disintegration changed that.

As former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt writes on the pages of Project Syndicate, after the onset of peace, everyone understood that to ensure lasting stability, the inclusion of new Balkan states in the European Union would be required:

Nobody expected this to happen overnight; but no one thought that the integration process would be so protracted. Since the accession of Slovenia and Croatia in 2004 and 2013, respectively, EU enlargement in the Balkans has virtually stalled.

According to him, corruption and nationalism hinder the replenishment of the EU. In Bosnia, the political situation was deemed so precarious that a new high-level peace envoy was appointed to the country with expanded powers. This actually thwarted the country's accession program to the EU.

Meanwhile, Serbia fell under the boot of an autocratic regime that flirts with China today and bows to Russia the next day.

- says the Swedish observer.

At the same time, he believes that the Balkan countries need to either strive for the EU, or prepare for the possibility of unleashing a new round of wars:

The alternative for the Western Balkans is a slide back into violence. This has happened before. This is happening now in Afghanistan. This should not happen again in Europe.

Comments

[Victor_B]

As far as I understand, not a single country of the Young Europeans can be completely independent. Or really neutral.
They have to select or Russia / China or both at once, or completely fall under the US / EU.
Two boobs don't suck at the same time!

[carstorm 11]

Their geographic location does not offer any alternatives. Sooner or later, the EU and NATO will absorb them. Unless, of course, they persist by this time. Neutrality won't work there. Which is bad, but it cannot be changed.

[Victor_B]

Quote: carstorm 11

Neutrality won't work there.

This is what I meant and had!

I do not advise, citizen ... Mne-e ... I do not advise. Eat up.

(c) (PNVS)

[hrych]

Quote: carstorm 11

Sooner or later, the EU and NATO will absorb them.

Is it okay that the EU has already begun to fall apart? Word - Brexit Doesn't Say Anything? NATO began to fall apart from Turkey, with the largest NATO army outside the United States. Today Turkey's presence in NATO is formal. Tactical nuclear weapons were removed from Incirlik and the crews of the Petriots (in particular the FRG), a kind of quiet Saigon, were removed. With regard to Serbia and Kosovo, this is a turning point in the revival of Russia. Yeltsin became disillusioned with the West, the period of rose-colored glasses and the surrender of positions ended. He was enraged by the 1998 default, arranged by the second conspiracy of the Arabians and the West to deliberately lower the price of oil. The USSR was the first to overturn, and with this they wanted to destroy the Russian Federation. And here is the NATO blow to Serbia and the rejection of Kosovo. Primakov's pivot over the Atlantic ultimately became Russia's pivot. Yeltsin ordered a battalion of the airborne forces from the peacekeepers to seize the Slatina airport, but the transfer of 2 airborne regiments was blocked by Hungary and Bulgaria, without giving an air corridor. There was a threat of nuclear war. Then there was the appearance of Putin to the people, the demonstrative beginning of the liquidation of Ichkeria and the resignation of Yeltsin himself. History took a different path.

[carstorm 11]

I don't really believe in their collapse in the next 40-50 years. It's just that even by inertia, they can do everything for years. Too economic consequences will be grandiose and nightmarish. That will hook the whole planet. Even we do not need their collapse at all. You need to be constantly on the verge of it. To solve your questions in troubled water.

[hrych]

From the collapse of the EU, the catastrophe will be in Eastern Europe, namely in the former socialist countries. Because their economy is not self-sufficient and is calculated on the help of the West, but the countries of Western Europe, on the contrary, will rise. Britain hoped for that, that it is better to pay off now and run away, otherwise it will be worse later. The British actually still reckon that Germany and France will tear the navel with parasites and lose the competition. Brexit is not only the beginning of the end of the EU, but also the beginning of the good old competition between these countries.

[Kittymoore]

1. Doesn't talk about anything. You can study the history of the EEC (then formatted into the modern EU) and the alternative that the British created (EFTA).
You need to understand that the British are, in principle, isolationists, and the role of France and Germany, which play the main role in the EU, generally sets the seats on fire.
Well, they do not like to be on the sidelines.

Will the EU collapse because of the British tyrants? And this is in the context of the trend towards globalization? And the vote on Brexit is like this: a victory with 51%. Literally on the edge.
I wouldn't be surprised if they return there in 10 years.

2. A turning point in the issue of Russia's revival - high prices for resources, which made it possible to inject money into the army, stabilize the situation in the country and start “multi-move”.
Some believe that the beginning was laid by Putin's "Munich" speech.

And what has to do with the sad fuss in the Balkans and the gouged perks of the Serbian nationalists?

[hrych]

Quote: Kitty Moore

And what has to do with the sad fuss in the Balkans and the gouged perks of the Serbian nationalists?

Ask Yeltsin why he changed policy, why he took Slatina, why he changed the regime in the Russian Federation (as a result, the oligarchy was destroyed), destroyed Ichkeria, etc. High oil prices did not skyrocket by themselves, but Russia provoked them. All peaks of oil growth coincide with the events in Russia. Moreover, one of the peaks exceeded the monstrous peak of the 20th century, which coincided with the fall of Saigon and the American disaster in Vietnam. These peaks are a history diagram. This peak in 2005 provoked Putin's second term, when he had already gained real power, crushing the oligarchy. Those. Russia gained independence, and the West missed it. A kind of Moscow Saigon. And only then prices began to work for our economy.

The first peak was when Yeltsin kicked up, brought Putin and began to beat Ichkeria, the Second peak -2005 and Putin became Tsar, well, the peak of 2008, when Georgia was whipped and Russia switched from defense to attack.

[Kittymoore]

Do you think that Yeltsin voluntarily decided to "change the system" (where did the Russian system change?)

Seriously, a man who, in the struggle for power, fired at parliament from tanks, suddenly takes and renounces this power? Very funny.

Russian paratroopers, ministers on turning planes, Yeltsin's drunken chatter - all this does not matter, because Yugoslavia was successfully dismantled, the Serbian chief executives went to The Hague. All tasks have been completed.

The oligarchy has not gone anywhere, just some oligarchs have defeated others.

[hrych]

Firstly, I repeat, the Serbs' sacrifice changed history and these Heroes, whom you cannot judge or offend. And they defended Serbia in battle, not allowing it to be occupied by NATO. In this sense, NATO got it in the teeth. The main task has not been completed. And the Kosovo precedent eventually gave Russia the right to rip off Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Crimea. Yeltsin remained Tsar until 2005, and Putin was the zits-chairman (as Pres - Medvedev later). Yeltsin's health ran out, but he retained power almost to death. There was no strength to fly, hold hours of meetings and meetings with leaders of other countries. It's exhausting. But the main issues have been agreed with him. The oligarchs changed the ranks of top managers. Moreover, some of the oligarchs from the seven bankers became top managers. Like Potanin. The oligarchs had their own personal army (disguised as a private security company), their Governors, their own people in the Duma, the Government, and the top of the siloviki. And the Tsar will kick the ass and roll to the top manager. The private security companies are disarmed. Top managers don't get into politics. With regards to the closest circle of the President, they obey him implicitly. The system of top managers is transitional, introduced to exclude civil war within the Russian Federation during the overthrow of the oligarchy. Perhaps Putin himself will begin to change the system from a transitional one, because he won the Great Gas War, the United States suffered a crushing defeat, and now if they cannot maintain hegemony in the APR, then that's all, take into account the United Kingdom.

[Kittymoore]

Serbia has to do with it? They fought for the preservation of Yugoslavia and the rights of the Serbs living in it.
As a result, Yugoslavia was cut off, and impoverished Serbia has a pro-Western government and a course towards integration.

He did not give any rights, the reasoning of the "But in Kosovo" level does not impress the world.
It is enough to compare the list of countries that have recognized Kosovo (more than 100) and Crimea (like 5)
And the Russian man in the street is even more indifferent. For, from his point of view, Crimea = Russia is historical justice, and precedents and other nonsense are irrelevant here.

I don’t care about the Serbs at all and I’m not going to judge them. I do not give them any moral assessment.

"Great Gas War" - are you talking about SP2? Well, yes, we were able to push through the pipeline. Gazprom shareholders are happy. Well, OK.
I am more worried about the prices in stores.

You have correctly described everything about the oligarchs. The state no longer conflicts with them, but cooperates and defends their interests outside (and inside too).
Convenient symbiosis.
But are they just "top managers"? I don’t know, I doubt it, but I won’t argue, I don’t own the information.

[hrych]

Yugoslavia at that time already represented only Serbia and Montenegro. And Serbia has a decent economy, and withstood the pressure of the sanctions. I would have looked at Bulgaria, if it were announced sanctions, and even after the war with NATO. And Serbia stood up to the beggars, as the Raguli and the Balts did not sink. The Yugoslav wars began under Gorbachev. It all began with this creature. First, Slovenia and Croatia fell away, then the Bosnian showdown began. And half of Bosnia was defended by the Serbs despite NATO intervention. And I repeat, the fighting efficiency of the Serbian army did not allow the occupation of Serbia. Although the media portray it, the Serbs actually defeated all the vaunted NATO, having suffered unacceptable losses, abandoned the ground operation and invasion

Quote: Kitty Moore

It is enough to compare the list of countries that have recognized Kosovo (more than 100) and Crimea (like 5)

And we, as it were, absolutely do not care about the opinion of the world community, the main thing is that the Kosovo precedent has untied our hands. Prior to that, Russia strictly observed the new world order. And, as the law of the strong was introduced, Russia has successfully applied this right. The arguments of the "But in Kosovo" level do not impress the world, but our military power, including the United States, does impress. We were unable to defeat us in the sanctions, economic war. Moreover, the hegemony of the United States was shaken then, when Russia sent him away and now we see their fall. The Great Gas War is far from SP-2, but the South Stream that has passed into the Turkish one. SP-2 is a blow to Ukrainian transit with the Polish one, and that's all. A trifle. Here, a pipe from Arabia, through Syria, having connected with the fields of the Israeli, Lebanese and Syrian shelves by dry land through Turkey, was supposed to go to the EU and COMPLETELY oust Russia from this gas market. Fully. And neither SP-1, nor Yamal-Europe, nor Ukratranzit, nor Blue Stream, would simply not carry out pumping. I repeat, this is a complete replacement for Russian gas, for the volumes are as follows. Syria was gasping for breath, the Russian fleet seized the Syrian shelf and blocked the path of the NATO invasion squadron. Confrontation level of the Cuban missile crisis and Obama crap. Pipes from Arabia and the shelf - a fig with butter. There is no alternative to our gas. But they also captured Jabal Nafti, this superfield of the Syrian shelf with oil reserves, like Kuwait, but almost in Europe, Suez does not pass nano, pour oil into a tanker from the drilling rig and here it is Europe. So that we got out of Syria, they arranged a Maidan at our side, and we chopped off the Crimea and, in fact, the Donbass. To eliminate the Syrian Express, they wanted to arrange a war with Turkey, and as a result, Turkey fell away from the West and gained independence, the caste that ruled for a century was destroyed. The last attack was on Belarus, a coup in Minsk, under the guise of exercises in Poland, NATO troops enter the republic, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine makes a diversionary strike on the LPR. Russian intelligence eliminated the conspirators, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine took in big pincers and prepared to destroy, approaching the border of Belarus. Biden asked for peace and unhindered withdrawal from Iraq and Afgan. And here we have Afghan. This is the HBV or the Fourth World War. Although they still defended Venezuela, and in Bolivia they helped to overthrow the junta.

[Kittymoore]

What unacceptable losses NATO suffered in Yugoslavia?

That's right: whoever is stronger is right. This is the whole point.
And no "precedents" matter.


About hegemony, decline, world order - I leave it all to the propagandists. For this is a common subjective cliché that should elevate object A over object B - not interesting.

I agree that the showdown in Syria is a squabble of predators among themselves. Gas, pipes, interests of corporations and respectable uncles.
An everyday occurrence in world history.

But why "our" gas? Excuse me, are you a shareholder of Gazprom? Or are you a member of the board of directors of Rosneft and you have a vital interest in accessing Middle Eastern oil?
What do you care about their money?

By the way, Maidan was before Syria, as well as Crimea and Donbass. Your chronology of events is broken.


The analytics at the end of your post amused (especially about NATO troops and continuous victories wherever possible)
Reminiscent of a victory report.
My friend, I'm not a spectator of Russia 1. It won't impress me.

[hrych]

The confrontation between the squadrons of the Russian Federation and NATO near the Syrian shelf was in 2013. This is called grabbing the shelf and holding it. The chronology is all right. Obama has been given the bone to destroy Syria's chemical weapons. Lavrov and Kerry signed this in September 2013. Ironing barmaleev began later. Yeltsin sincerely believed that Russia would be integrated into the Western community and observed the new order. When NATO violated it, Russia retaliated. Gazprom pays taxes and pays for state programs, half a million employees, and with subcontractors and subsidiaries - millions of jobs and their dependents, with the service sector the figure is huge. More than 300 thousand work directly in Rosneft, as well as subcontractors and subsidiaries, the service sector and their dependents. In general, there is a considerable share among those working in the Russian Federation. Oil refineries work from oil, they drive on fuel, fly and swim. All industry and transport are tied to Gazprom and Rosneft. Victory reports consist in real acquisitions, both territorial, human (6 million Russian people) and economic. We were able to carry out rearmament and win the nuclear missile race. Dramatically pulled ahead with promising weapon systems. Combat power actually determined everything else. The flight of the United States from Afghanistan and Iraq, due to the fact that there is no money for nuclear missile rearmament, in the race we have imposed. Hegemony is expensive, almost a thousand military bases require colossal money. Two occupying contingents require colossal costs. The maintenance of a huge fleet with force projection ships (aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers and UDC) requires colossal costs. You can keep this, but you have to rob someone, and now no one is going to rob themselves. The United States is economically strained, well, there is still 20 trillion of debt, interest is paid on them to creditors, etc. At one time the USSR strained, now the United States has strained. You are not impressed, for God's sake. I leash answered the questions. Others will read who they might be impressed by. The events will be compared, checked on the Internet and forward.

[Kittymoore]

Hope this is some kind of trolling)

[Gunther]

Quote: Victor_B

... Two boobs don't suck at the same time!

it depends on who gets down to business - Luka, I think, can milk 3 boobs.

[Split]

Yes, it is nothing more than a gasket for them, such as against the aggression of Russia ... that's just the Orthodox Serbs, even after all the events it is more than 80% of the population. Even with buns they can't be tempted by a gayrope

[carstorm 11]

They will be tempted. She is around them. This is a matter of time, but of course they will resist for a long time. Serbs are stubborn))).

[Split]

How much time has passed but things are still there so to speak

[carstorm 11]

This will happen evolutionarily. This is the world. I myself am against it, but the rose-colored glasses have long been thrown away.

[Yuriy71]

"... that's just the Orthodox Serbs ..." - and what, I want to ask? Georgians and Ukrainians - too, because Orthodox !!! This does not prevent them from being as they are .......

[Split]

The family has its black sheep (s)

[strannik1985]

We have already reached the threats

[tralflot1832]

This is how history begins to perish, tore apart Yugoslavia alive and not any hints of repentance. This is how we live with such neighbors. We have to keep our fists ready to hit on the snorkel so as not to climb. The words of the late Milosevic remember that we were just training over Yugoslavia. They did it with Ukraine, but without the pearl of the Crimea and the worker of Donbass. And in Belarus, in general, the horns were completely broken off. It seems that you can buy air tickets at the end of September, at the beginning of October from the mountain of blockers in Minsk.

[Basarev]

A very strange position. The actual ultimatum: either the EU or the war. Which is quite hypocritical, given the EU's role in fueling and waging the Yugoslav wars.

[Alexander Pseudonym]

about the fact that small countries can not be independent is bullshit.
It is only in the imagination of Kiselev and Solovyov so.
Serbia chooses what is more profitable for it, that's all. Serbia participates in the tender for the supply of 155 MM wheeled howitzer to the US Army.
Serbs do not think they owe anything to anyone. Russia can support Serbia, but will receive nothing in return.

[carstorm 11]

Well, let's name at least one independent country in Europe?))) The reality is that this is impossible by definition. Independence in one area makes even large countries dependent on other areas. You want to buy weapons from us, for example, but the states with their internal laws will force you to refuse this choice. And so in everything.

[Alexander Pseudonym]

Germany !!

[carstorm 11]

Come on?))) Chapito called SP2 does not say anything?))) The US Army on their land? Proceed? This is, if we do not say that it is certainly difficult to call her small)

[pytar]

about the fact that small countries can not be independent is bullshit. It is only in the imagination of Kiselev and Solovyov so. Serbia chooses what is more profitable for it, that's all ...

Rarely for VO obyktivny comments! Neither add nor subtract! Respect, Andrey!

[pytar]

According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Social Research in Belgrade in 2019, 45,5% of Serbs support their country's membership in the EU, while only 17% of respondents preferred to join the EAEU.
On July 26.07.2021, 52,3, according to a survey conducted by the agency Ninamedia for the EU Delegation in Serbia, 32,6% of Serbs want Serbia to join the EU, another XNUMX% are against, the rest either abstained or refused to answer.
The EU is the largest sponsor of the Serbian economy, and Serbia has the largest trade turnover with the EU. Obviously, Serbian society is increasingly starting to orient itself towards the EU, and the authorities won the elections under the slogan of an early membership in the Union.
Karl Bildt is right, the EU regulates all disputes between the members of the union peacefully. Serbia does not have a choice, it will not stand a new war, and the Serbs do not want to kill and die anymore. The solution to the controversial issue of Kossovo is possible only within the framework of the European Union, where the border is largely conditional.

[Brturin]

Quote: pytar

According to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Social Research in Belgrade

Here is how to put the question and what are the conditions for joining - survey March 2020 - by the Institute of Europe in cooperation with the agency "Ninamedia". According to the study, only 13 percent of the polled citizens of Serbia would support the independence of the region in exchange for guaranteed membership of the country in the European Union, while 73 percent of respondents were against such a decision. https://news.rambler.ru/europe/44574563/

[pytar]

... survey March 2020 - by the Institute of Europe in cooperation with the agency "Ninamedia". According to the study, only 13% of the polled citizens of Serbia would support the independence of the region in exchange for guaranteed membership of the country in the European Union, while 73% of respondents were against such a decision.

In the same poll:

The citizens interviewed were also divided over whether Serbia had lost its southern region. This opinion is shared by 42% of the respondents, while 46% are convinced of the opposite.

We are witnessing a colorful conjunctive dissonance in Serbian society!
On the one hand, 52,3% of Serbs want Serbia to join the EU, but only 13% of those surveyed would support the independence of Kossovo in exchange for guaranteed EU membership! In the same time 42% believe that Serbia has lost Kossovo! And you want and inject! By the way, I wonder how many of the remaining 46% are ready to fight and die in a new war? A little, according to my impressions from communicating with friends there. Over time, there are more and more those who realize that Kossovo is really lost and should not indulge in illusions. Confrontation will not solve any problems, only peace talks under the auspices of the EU can protect Serbia's interests in Kossovo. There is also autonomy for the Sebra enclaves, the restitution of Serbian assets to the regions, guarantees for the observance of the rights of Serbs and all other ethnic groups, massed economic assistance for both countries, etc. Realism will win, and it will lead to the EU ...

[tralflot1832]

What are you Europeans naive about surveys, just like little children. Who pays for the survey, he wants only the result he needs. And if you read the survey from others, there is a completely different result. It all depends on how you ask the question. For example: Bulgaria will support same-sex marriages! Another option Bulgaria will support same-sex marriage, even if sanctions are imposed for refusal of support, take the example of Poland and Hungary.

[hrych]

But whoever wants to think so. Your Bureau is deceitful. But the Balkan Barometer poll, which was conducted by the Regional Cooperation Council before and during the coronavirus pandemic, says otherwise.
As noted in the report on the results of a sociological survey, Serbia has become "the only country in the region where less than a third of all respondents support EU membership." 24% of citizens are against joining the European Union, 26% of respondents are in favor. At the same time, 44% of those polled believe that membership in the European Union is "neither good nor bad." In addition, 46% are sure that Serbia will never join the EU, in other Balkan countries this figure is 26%. This is a more authoritative, independent survey, and an interstate one. The support of Russia is growing every year, and the number of opponents of Serbia's accession to the EU among young people is growing every year. In 2017, 32% were against the EU, in 2018 - 37,8%, in 2019 - 39,8%. In 2020, the most authoritative Serbian newspaper Politika published an article that cites no less entertaining survey results: “in comparison with previous years, the number of young people who have a negative attitude towards the European Union has grown from 28% to 41%, and the number young people who perceive the EU positively fell from a quarter to one fifth. According to another survey, only a third of young people support Serbia's entry into the family of European nations, a fifth have not decided, and 46% are against the EU. Everything is logical. 2017-32%, 2018-37,8%, 2019-39,8%, 2020-41% against the EU. And under 70% of the Serbs would never give up the recognition of Kosovo's independence for the sake of membership with the EU. And this is a membership with automatic recognition. Draw your own conclusions.

[pytar]

Continue to amuse yourself with illusions ...

[hrych]

You are the one to play with your deceitful statistics, and we will show you our big rocket.

[pytar]

It’s you who’re playing with your deceitful statistics ...

I am impartial in the given incident / on the drum /. And in fact, the Serbian economy is already tightly tied to the EU! Interesting rule the world, emotions only in the kitchen.

and we will show you our big rocket

You can show as much as you like, but launching is risky, it will take and fall on Voronezh!

[Brturin]

flirting with China, in addition to investments, one can also find "unexpected" versions - Serbia needs access to the sea, this can be done through Montenegro ... China "invested" in Montenegro and then ... "You take strangers - you give yours" ...
Suddenly, it turned out that, according to the loan agreement, the Chinese bank will be able to demand the payment of the main body of the loan in the event of delays in payments on the loan. If it is impossible to repay the debt, Montenegro will be forced to pay off the debt with state property or territories. At the same time, the papers stipulate that the judicial arbitration will take place in China .... On March 17, the young and active Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Montenegro, Dritan Abazovic, during his visit to the EU, publicly made an unexpected proposal. He called on the European Union to buy out the Montenegrin debt to China in the amount of $ 1 billion in order to reduce the dependence of the Balkan country on Beijing. The EU thought and refused .... Nevertheless, it is the port of Bar that remains the most likely payment, especially given the practice of China's acquisition of the port of Piraeus in Greece or the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka in the last decade. Of course, the Montenegrin port itself is in some sense a "suitcase without a handle" however, given the active construction by Chinese companies of roads through Serbia to the Montenegrin border, everything may soon change... https://tass.ru/opinions/11196953

[Gardener91]

Who knows! In the old days "everything" began from the Balkans. Not to be late with the choice, but to hurry up with the adoption of the "decision". Otherwise, geopolitics is now completely transformed into the category of a lady with low social responsibility.

[abc_alex]

The Balkan Wars, starting with the conflict in Slovenia, raged for a decade. The Dayton Peace Agreement ended hostilities in Bosnia in 1995, but then the war in Kosovo began, which lasted until 1999, and in 2001 there was a serious outbreak of violence in what is now North Macedonia.

What, this is how they suddenly took it and started? Wasn't there an active participation of European countries behind them? Slovenia was not pushed to secede by Germany. Wasn't Europe so briskly and actively recognizing the broken pieces of Yugoslavia as sovereign states?
In my opinion, it should be said: Europe in every possible way provoked separatism in the Balkans, knowing for sure that this would inevitably lead to wars. The Balkans have ALWAYS been at war. There is always someone dissatisfied with the borders and conflicts last for centuries. The period of Yugoslavia was perhaps the only one in history when there were no wars and frozen conflicts in the Balkans.

Nobody expected this to happen overnight; but no one thought that the integration process would be so protracted. Since the accession of Slovenia and Croatia in 2004 and 2013, respectively, EU enlargement in the Balkans has virtually stalled.

And like "this" happened by the will of Allah or what? Or was the wind rose supposed to fold? Do the luminaries come together in the right aspect? The EU decided for itself whom and when to receive. I would like to accept it - I would accept it as the Baltics. Wholesale and "on credit". But, it is obvious that having achieved by the mid-2000s the main political goals in the Balkans, their final and irrevocable "Europeanization" and the impossibility of integrating these countries into any Russian project, the EU has lost interest in the region. Moreover, there was already nothing to take there.

According to him, corruption and nationalism hinder the replenishment of the EU.

Yeah, and also sun, rain and wind. Well, the fact that residents breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. :)
Nationalism was the basis of the European project for the collapse of Yugoslavia, and for some reason did not interfere until the mid-2000s. As well as the venality of local officials. And then suddenly "Oh! Nobody is going anywhere!"

Meanwhile, Serbia fell under the boot of an autocratic regime that flirts with China today and bows to Russia the next day.

Ah, well, yes, if he bowed to the United States today and flirted with Germany tomorrow, he would certainly be democratic. :)
Could it be that Russia and China do not demand that the Serbs recognize Kosovo in exchange for cooperation?

At the same time, he believes that the Balkan countries need to either strive for the EU, or prepare for the possibility of unleashing a new round of wars:

That is, to put it simply, they are doomed. Because it is Europe that has always been interested in the wars in the Balkans.

[Wolf]

The article is superficial, and Karl Bildt either does not know anything that is dubious or did he THREAT Serbia with war?
From the beginning, Germany, the United States, and the Evil Brity BROKEN the former Yugoslavia and it was THEY who ORGANIZED THE WAR AND THE SCARY, helped the ULTRANATSIONALIST FASHIST in Slovenia and Croatia and Bosnia and Kosovo !!!
The Franks got used to the flocks of Hyenas and helped.
Bildt scored a BATTLE OF SERBs in 2004 on Kosovo on the side of the Albanian ultranationalists, and the EU and the US DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO STOP THEM !!!
Kosovo is under NATO's OCCUPATION and everyone knows that, but they call the OCCUPATION of Kosovo a world mission.
A threat like either you will be under us or you will get a war to which the Serbs have long ago given an answer and several times.
In the Balkans there is a project of Great Albania, the secession of Montenegro and Voivodini from Serbia, but it is bad and with a COMPLETE FAILURE of the policy of the USA, GERMANY AND EVIL BRITS!
If THEY want World War 3 with a new start in the Balkans, that's their business, but Bildt probably knows that FIRE does not choose who NATO has who does not, they will burn like cute, and the Serbs will help them in full!

[Reserve buildbat]

"At the same time, he believes that the Balkan countries need to either strive to join the EU, or prepare for the possibility of unleashing a new round of wars."
That is, this Swede threatens that if the Balkan countries do not plunge into the EU, NATO will attack them again? So now it is not 1999, Russia can prevent it. And not only with a throw to Pristina.