Of the approximately one billion dollars in military assistance announced by the United States (U.S.) State Department for 17 European countries, 23 million will go to Montenegro to strengthen the defense sector.
It is not yet known how much money the other countries of the Western Balkans will receive, which, apart from Serbia, are also on the list.
However, as told to Radio Free Europe by the State Department, this aid, which is also awarded to Ukraine, demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. “to the future of Ukraine as a democratic, sovereign and independent state, as well as to the security of allies and partners throughout the region. “
Why is aid sent to the Western Balkans?
The first thing we need to understand, according to Bruno Lete, senior associate of the German Marshall Fund in Brussels, is that there are heightened tensions and threats of violence in the Western Balkans. And that in the eyes of the U.S., “many of the security risks are related to Russia.”
“There is a belief that President Putin and the Kremlin are playing a role in the region that is detrimental to security. I think there is a desire in the U.S., and also in the context of NATO, to step up efforts in the region,” Lete says.
What will the money be used for?
As the State Department told, more than two billion dollars in foreign military funding “will specifically help countries affected by the situation in Ukraine, including countries on the Eastern part and other regional partners and allies that have provided security assistance to Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia. “
“The funds will support opportunities for countries that have already donated to Ukraine to replenish their supplies, as well as those that could do so with U.S. security assistance,” a State Department spokesman said.
“Serbia is the least favorable country towards NATO or the U.S.It is also widely known that Serbia has closer relations with the Kremlin, with Russia. So, I think the situation there is more complicated,” Lete commented about the possible reasons why Serbia will not get aid.
