KOLEV: THE EU’S TRANSFORMATION INTO MILITARY ALLIANCE WOULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR SERBS

BELGRADE, JUNE 14 /SRNA/ – Geopolitics professor Dragan Kolev believes it cannot be ruled out that the politically and economically weakened European Union could evolve from a political into a military alliance led by Germany, which would have serious consequences for the Serb people, primarily because such an alliance would regard Russia as its main enemy, a country that maintains close ties with Republika Srpska and Serbia.

Kolev noted that the path toward such a development would be long, as it would require the creation of a single army, the selection of a command structure and headquarters, the definition of shared objectives, and clarification of “whom they would defend themselves against”. “They have defined Russia as the threat, yet history shows that Europe has traditionally been the side attacking Russia,” Kolev told SRNA. He also pointed out the possibility that the United States could gradually reduce its presence in Europe while leaving American weapons stationed there. “However, a change of administration in the United States could at some point bring about a change in strategy,” Kolev said. He added that it is difficult to predict future developments with certainty, but argued that an ideology of nationalism and a desire for dominance are strengthening in Germany, which could lead to increased militarization. “Germany would undoubtedly be the leader of such an alliance, and on its path toward the East, the Serbs could once again find themselves in its way, as was the case during both world wars,” Kolev assessed. He emphasized that the idea of an EU military alliance remains hypothetical for now, whereas the Croatia-Kosovo-Albania military alliance is a reality that Serb states must treat with full seriousness. “The intent is to contain the Serb factor in the Balkans and prevent the Serbs, viewed as ‘little Russians’ in the Balkans, from facilitating Russian access to warm-water seas,” Kolev argued. He stressed that contemporary developments should be viewed within a historical context, taking into account the interests of both domestic and foreign actors in the region throughout history. “History teaches that the ‘Serb house’ is located in a place crossed by the interests of powerful actors. Therefore, Serb states must continue pursuing wise and balanced policies and strengthen diplomatic ties with those who has a say for everything in order to protect themselves,” Kolev concluded.