German FM on Balkan tour warns against Russian influence

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited the divided city of Mitrovica in the north of the Kosovo on Friday as part of a Balkan tour that will take her later to Serbia, a traditional Russian ally, reported dpa.

Even though there are no physical barriers any more between the different areas of Mitrovica, mostly Kosovo-Serbian inhabitants live in the north of the city and Kosovo-Albanian inhabitants in the southern part.

The administration, security structure and social services in the north still operate outside the Kosovo state structure.

Afterwards, the Green politician planned to inaugurate a wind farm that was built with German support.

Baerbock was set to travel to Belgrade later on Friday to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Vucic has traditionally maintained good relations with Russia, and his talks with Baerbock talks were expected to cover the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Baerbock said that she wanted to make it clear in the Western Balkans that Germany "will not leave this region in the heart of Europe to Moscow's influence."

Serbia recently voted to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine in an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

However, Vucic does not want to follow the EU's sanctions targeting Russia.