Iran is not the only country facing a decline in influence; Russia is experiencing similar challenges in its surrounding region. Serbia is gradually aligning itself with the West, using the sanctions as a rationale to distance itself from Russia. This shift could have significant consequences for Bosnia, and we must be ready for any potential escalation.
Vucic will never abandon Russia completely. But they are attempting to bring him into the fold, via weapons sales from France and other things.
As long as Albania enters the EU before Serbia, Kosovo interests will be protected.
With regards to Bosnia, things are more up in the air, but he would not dare do something stupid on that front b/c of the implications for EU membership, even thought there is a lot of noise coming from Republika Srpska.
For now, I'm not convinced yet on the Russia decline stuff just yet, given that they have the upper hand in Ukraine, and with them bringing Georgia under their influence, especially since the current Rift between Georgia and the EU.
I think its less a decline and more of a consolidation, with Russia gaining in its immediate neighborhood while contracting in influence further away from its territory. But even that we have to see, given the buildup in Africa with Wagner/Africa Corps.
They are certainly much weaker in the Balkans, but that was a given once Romania and Bulgaria joined NATO and the EU, Russia was never going to hold the influence it did from the Warsaw Pact days.. The Serbia matter was also in decline considering Serbia is a landlocked state since Montenegro broke off, its a shell of its Yugoslav days, it was inevitable that it would be absorbed into the EU fold. Ironically the one thing thats preventing a complete absorption and a cutting off of ties with Moscow is the Kosovo issue. Serbia is still have a hard time coming to terms with its current boundaries, whether in Kosovo or in Bosnia.
