Garčević Comments on Russian Influence in Croatia
Ambassador Vesko Garčević, Professor of the Practice of International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University, was quoted on Russia’s influence in the Balkans for a Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) article.
The article, titled “Bear Feeders in the Balkans,” explores Russia’s ties in the Western Balkans and how the country’s threats against Ukraine have revealed its many sympathizers in the region. Garčević was asked to comment on the statement of Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, who on January 25 said that Croatia would not have a military presence in Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion. While there is no direct trail of Russian direct influence in Croatia, Garčević notes that Croatian politicians have reason to take pro-Russian stances. The country relies heavily on its financial ties with Russia; he specifically mentions tourism investment, luxury real estate, and energy dependence.
The full article can be read on CEPA’s website.
During his diplomatic career, Ambassador Vesko Garčević dealt with issues pertinent to European security and NATO for almost 14 years. In 2004, he was posted in Vienna to serve as Ambassador to Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He had been a Montenegro’s Ambassador to NATO from 2010 until 2014 and served as Montenegro’s National Coordinator for NATO from 2015 until he joined the faculty at the Pardee School. Learn more about Ambassador Garčević on his faculty profile.