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Whether it be the annexation of Crimea or numerous military exercises in the Black Sea, Russia has been expanding its sphere of influence into Eastern Europe for years. Last week saw the donation of six MiG-29 fighter jets, 30 battle tanks and 30 armoured scout vehicles to the Serbian military in an unprecedented move. The announcement of a new base in neighbouring Bosnia appears to be just the latest manoeuvre in Russia’s quest to push NATO out of Eastern Europe.

Die Welt correspondent Boris Kalnoki suggested that Putin was deepening relations with Serbs in Bosnia in order to show its “decisiveness” in the region. He said: “The news brings the aspirations of Serbia to modernise its army and with that to bring its own arms industry back into focus. “That is potentially explosive – as Serbia relies on Russia, a country which showed in Ukraine its decisiveness to expand its sphere of influence with armed force. “That is part of the overall arming in eastern and central Europe.” The US already has a vast base in neighbouring Kosovo, meaning that Russia is prepared to go toe-to-toe in the region, according to Mr Kalnoki.

Putin and NATO - not friends!

Bosnia's tripartite presidency

He added: “Considering that this represents the strengthening of NATO in the region, it is not surprising that Russia is counteracting. “While NATO mostly relies on Albania, Kosovo and Croatia in former Yugoslavia, Russia is concentrating on Serbia and the Serb entity in Bosnia.” Russia’s growing proximity to Bosnia may be part of a wider diplomatic battle between Putin and NATO over the nation. Rival Serb, Croat and Bosniak leaders finally agreed to form a central government last night some 10 months after the general election. The tripartite government came to blows over Bosnia’s possible integration into NATO – something Russia is staunchly against. JUST IN: Grieve grilled on ‘Remainer alliance’ plot as he attacks ‘arrogant’ Cummings in fiery rant

Russia sent fighter jets to Serbia

Bosniak and Croat members suggest NATO membership would provide peace and stability in the tension-stricken region. Serbia’s opposition stemmed from NATO’s intervention in Kosovo and Bosnia during the Nineties amid the brutal Balkan wars. NATO forces targeted Serbian troops – who were committing mass human rights violations against Bosniaks – in 1995. They then pummelled the Serbian army in Kosovo in order to drive them out. It has led to mass tensions between NATO officials and Serbian forces – whether they be in Serbia itself, or in the Serb-dominated region of Bosnia. Milorad Dodik, a Serb member who currently chairs the presidency, warned in June that unilateral steps taken towards obtaining NATO membership would result in the end of Bosnia. DON'T MISS

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Russia fears Bosnia getting too close to the EU

Russia have strengthened Serbian ties

He has consistently voted against any military integration with NATO – with Russia’s help. Experts suggest that Moscow is exerting influence in the nation to prevent any sort of NATO influence taking hold. Historian Marko Attile Hoare said: “They have an interest in seeing these conflicts unresolved, in keeping the Kosovo-Serbia dispute unresolved, in keeping Bosnia unstable and the Macedonia-Greece conflict unresolved. “That gives them a way of exerting influence.” The only three Balkan nations without NATO membership are Bosnia, Serbia and Kosovo – the latter’s UN status is still under review. It means that the Russian state has dug into Bosnia and Serbia on a diplomatic and military level in order to prevent NATO homogeneity in the region.

Putin has already got a foothold in Crimea

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