Kosovo, Bosnia call for NATO membership as war rages in Ukraine

'The influence that Russia has in Serbia is not downsizing, it’s actually been growing throughout the years,' Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said [File: Laura Hasani/Reuters]

As Russia’s influence grows in the Western Balkans and war rages in Ukraine, the leaders of Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina have said joining NATO would help preserve regional security.

Since February 24, when President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine citing Russia’s opposition to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a leading concern, fears have simmered that the crisis may spread to the Western Balkans.