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This paper illustrates the influences that the Russian Federation has in the Balkans and particularly through using the Kosovo situation and Serbian implication. The Russian Federation attempts to oppose the EU and the US through using Serbia and Kosovo, often using soft and hard power by offering both humanitarian aid for Serbia but also by helping Serbia in military and defence aspects. This paper uses international relations theories to explain the development of Russia’s influence in the Balkans from a historic perspective to continue with modernization of such relations through Russian representation in international organizations such as a UN permanent seat and an observation seat on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Furthermore, this paper will use game theory to explain the international relations and indirect influence through Kosovo and Serbia in the EU and US.
