The Russian newspaper Izvestia has reported on the emerging 'powder keg' in the Balkans, highlighted by the formation of a military alliance among Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo. This coalition is seen as an anti-Serbian bloc, primarily focused on arming Ukraine and tightening the military encirclement around Belgrade. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has termed this coalition as the principal threat to Serbia, and he has pledged to implement countermeasures, including accelerating the rearmament of the Serbian military and increasing domestic military spending to 40% of the production of Serbian defense industries, up from the current 18%.

The report indicates that this military cooperation has been developing since March, notably through agreements aimed at enhancing defense capabilities and coordinating arms purchases from the United States. Kosovo's Defense Minister, Ajup Makic, mentioned that joint procurement from Washington ensures better pricing and faster delivery of military equipment. In contrast, Russian Ambassador to Albania, Alexey Zaitsev, expressed concerns about the growing hostility directed towards Serbia, suggesting that the military measures taken are directly linked to geopolitical dynamics in the region.

With rising military capabilities among its neighboring countries and the potential arms buildup prompted by the alliance, Serbia finds itself in a precarious position, leading to fears of instability in the historically tumultuous region of the Balkans. The situation underscores the urgent need for diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution to prevent a worsening of tensions that could have broader implications for regional security in Southeast Europe.