Deputy Director of Russian Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Department Alexey Zaitsev drew attention on the statements made by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who at a joint press briefing in Berlin with Prime Minister of unrecognized Kosovo Albin Kurti, said that “the Western Balkans belong to Europe” and should join the EU.

“The EU members make these non-binding statements to encourage Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, where disappointment is growing over the prolonged stagnation of the rapprochement process with the bloc,” the diplomat told reporters.

He also regretted how Germany, along with other nations, seems to have completely forgotten the lessons of history and continues to perceive this geographical area as a sphere of its exclusive geopolitical interests.

Zaitsev argued that the EU openly treats these nations as its backyard, while he hypocritically accuses Russia of trying to establish zones of influence in Europe.

According to the official, Moscow has repeatedly pointed out the “harmful practice” when the European integration aspirations of the countries in the region are used for “blatant blackmail, unfair competition and extortion of investments” from non-bloc States.

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