The Impact of the Ukraine Crisis on the Balkans

Abstract

Goal – to analyze the political, economic, military, and social effects of the Ukraine Crisis on the Balkan Geography. ‣ Research methodology – the article includes an analysis of the available literature. A comprehensive press review of the Balkan countries was made and the study was shaped by qualitative data analysis. Score/results – the conducted analysis allowed us to verify the research hypothesis positively. The Ukraine Crisis reactivated the Cold War practice within the Balkan countries and increased the polarization among the Balkan countries. In the article, it was emphasized that the ethnic and religious fault lines between the countries of the region became more visible. It has been foreseen that the uncertainty in the region will pave the way for the Kosovo Crisis to come to the fore again in the upcoming period. Originality/value – the article was performed by the author independently, without outside help. The article contains links to quotes, as well as links to legislation. In essence, the article is an overview report. In the study, it was predicted that the Ukraine Crisis could act as a lever in the enlargement process of the European Union and NATO. In addition, it was emphasized that within the framework of the 21st-century digital world order, the Ukraine Crisis may have new consequences in addition to the previous crises. Energy transformation and cryptocurrency markets are examples of this situation.