Albania
Protests over fuel and food price increase, US Ambassador Kim praised Government’s support to Ukraine, and the Russian strike destroyed a consulate in Ukraine. The Government urged citizens to use their cars less often as fuel prices rose 50%. Kim stated that the country is now “at the center of the global response to Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine” as “an Albanian-American resolution received historic, unparalleled support, condemning Russia and supporting Ukraine.” The missiles destroyed the honorary Albanian consulate in Kharkiv.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Croat Presidency member Komsic asked for the country’s EU candidate status, SDA leader Izetbegovic said there is a reason for fear, and Serb Presidency member Dodik and Bosniak Presidency member Dzaferovic attended the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya. Komsic noted that the EU candidate member status would be “another confirmation of the indivisibility and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Izetbegovic stated that the war in Ukraine is “already reflecting because it has awakened some emotions and intentions, intentions that seemed to have been overcome.” Dodik and Dzaferovic expressed utterly different views on the country’s NATO membership perspective, internal security situation, and similarity with the ongoing Ukraine crisis.
Croatia
Russia-made military drone crashes in Zagreb, Prime Minister Plenkovic commented Russia’s “list of enemy countries,” and Members of Parliament (MPs) held discussions over euro adoption law. Croatian officials criticized NATO after the drone damaged some forty parked cars. Plenkovic stated that “if you’re on that list, then you’ve pursued a good policy, we can be proud of that.” While Finance Minister Maric stated that “introducing the euro will mean a higher credit rating and hence lower interest rates,” the Sovereignists’ Marijan Pavlicek said living standards “will additionally fall.”
Kosovo
German Foreign Minister Baerbock met Prime Minister Kurti in Pristina, Kurti asked for a faster EU-NATO membership, and Serb MPs refused to meet MEP and rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament Viola von Cramon. Baerbock stated that “Kosovo has done its job in terms of the visa liberalization,” but that there is no “fast road” to Europe.” Kurti said that “both EU membership and NATO membership cannot be done in the old ways.” Von Cramon noted that she “met Serbian representatives, but not the mayor of northern Mitrovica and not the Serbian representatives in the Government.”
Montenegro
The Government expelled a Russian diplomat, Parliament Speaker Bulajic blocked the formation of a new government, and 5G services were launched for the first time. Viktor Antipin is likely an intelligence officer and employee of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Bulajic has refused to call a Parliament session to vote on the proposed Cabinet. Crnogorski Telekom launched Montenegro’s first commercial 5G services in parts of Podgorica.
North Macedonia
Russian Ambassador Sergey Baznikin offered to explain the situation in Ukraine to the state officials, Russian Embassy to monitor and report all activities of “Russophobes,” and Government adopted 400 million euros ($436.5 million) package to ease the economic crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. President Pendarovski and Foreign Minister Osmani have no intention to meet Russian Ambassador Sergey Baznikin. Finance Minister stated that 90 million euros are waivers of revenues, and 310 million euros are direct fiscal expenditures.
Serbia
Serbian Progressive Party nominated incumbent president Vucic for the presidential elections, Air Serbia saw unprecedented flight demand to Russia, and Ukrainian IT company Intellias moved offices to Croatia. Vucic said that “Serbia has no place in NATO, we must forgive, but we must not forget” and that “we have nothing to do with the conflict in Ukraine.” Seat capacity surged by about 50% in the first week of March compared with pre-war periods. Intellias explained its movement by mentioning the “pro-Russian position of the Serbian government” and that “Croatia is home to a strong IT community and well-developed infrastructure.”