Russia may pressure Serbia to undermine western Balkans, leaders warn

Kosovo’s prime minister, Albin Kurti, in Brussels for a stabilisation and association meeting with the EU. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Russia is likely to expand its confrontation with the west by pressuring Serbia into undermining the independence of Kosovo and other western Balkan states, regional leaders have warned in interviews with the Guardian.

They also called for the EU and Nato to speed up their approach to applications for membership from Balkans countries, and bolster defences against Russian interference.