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Subject
Russian espionage in the Balkans.
Significance
Spy scandals have rocked Bulgaria in recent months and have already led to the expulsion of three Russian diplomats. Moscow sees South-eastern Europe as a weak spot in the Western alliance. Scrutinised by the West, the government in Sofia is under pressure to take a tougher stand on Moscow’s influence in the country.
Impacts
The new Bulgarian prosecutor general’s anti-graft campaign will exclude the energy sector, where Russia’s clout is extensive.
It is the United States, not the EU, that will lead the pushback against Russian influence.
The spy scandals are unlikely to cause irreparable damage to Russia’s interests in South-eastern Europe.
Keywords:
EUR,
Russia,
EU,
Greece,
Kosovo,
Macedonia,
Montenegro,
NATO,
Serbia,
United States,
Balkans,
Bulgaria,
industry,
international relations,
politics,
espionage,
foreign policy,
judicial,
security,
assassination,
corruption,
gas,
sanctions
© Oxford Analytica 2020. All rights reserved. This content contains general information about geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments or (where stated) other matters. It does not contain advice or recommendations that may be relied on. Where links to external websites are provided, this does not indicate that Oxford Analytica or Emerald agree with, endorse or have checked for accuracy the contents of said sites.
2020
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