19.12.2025 - 20:17
The National Defense Authorization Act, supported by lawmakers from both parties, provides for expenditures of approximately 900 billion dollars.
The United States Government shall not pursue any policy that advocates land swaps, partition, or other forms of redrawing borders along ethnic lines in the Western Balkans as a means of settling disputes between nation states in the region.
This is stated in the US National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, signed by US President Donald Trump. The law places special emphasis on the Western Balkans, the need for the region’s Euro-Atlantic integration, and the reduction of its energy dependence on Moscow, BGNES reported.
Funds under the law, previously approved by both chambers of the US Congress, are intended primarily for programs of the Department of Defense, activities of the Department of Energy related to national security, intelligence programs, and initiatives of the State Department.
Western Balkans
Parts of the law, adopted by the House of Representativesand by the Senate this week, are specifically dedicated to the Western Balkans.
The document notes that the dependence of countries in the region on Russian fossil fuels ties their economies and policies to Moscow and hampers their aspirations for European integration. It also highlights that corruption, including among leading political figures, remains one of the most serious obstacles to the region’s economic and political development. China’s influence in the Western Balkans is likewise described as potentially having a negative impact on strategic competition, democracy, and economic integration with Europe.
One of the most important instruments provided for in the law is sanctions. The US president may impose sanctions not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act on any foreign person found to have “engaged in or attempted to engage in corruption related to the Western Balkans. This includes corruption conducted by or on behalf of a government in the Western Balkans, or by a current or former public official in the region. The Act also provides for sanctions against individuals and policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, or territorial integrity of any country or region in the Western Balkans.
Countering Russia and China
Not later than 180 days after the law enters into force, and every two years thereafter, the US Secretary of State is required to submit a report to the relevant committees of Congress, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence regarding Russian and Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns directed at Western Balkans countries.
The report must include an assessment of the objectives of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China with regard to such operations and campaigns, including efforts to undermine democratic institutions in the region, interfere in the planning and conduct of democratic elections, promote political instability, and manipulate the information environment. The document must also examine the activities and roles of the US Department of State and other relevant federal agencies in countering Russian and Chinese malign influence operations.
The report is also required to contain a detailed assessment of networks, entities, and individuals – to the extent such information is available – from Russia, China, or other countries with which Moscow or Beijing may cooperate, that support such operations and campaigns. This includes the provision of financial or operational support for activities in Western Balkans countries that may limit freedom of speech or create barriers to access to democratic processes, including the exercise of the right to vote in free and fair elections, as well as the role of each such network, entity, or individual in providing that support.
The document must identify the tactics, techniques, and procedures used in Russian and Chinese malign influence operations and campaigns in the Western Balkans, and assess the impact of previous such actions targeting the alliances and partnerships of the US Armed Forces in the region. This includes an analysis of the effectiveness of these operations and campaigns in achieving the objectives of Russia and China.
The report must also identify each Western Balkans country with respect to which Russia or China has conducted or attempted to conduct malign influence operations or campaigns, and assess the capacity and efforts of NATO and of each individual country in the region to counter such actions.
In addition, the report must examine US efforts to combat Russian and Chinese malign influence operations in the Western Balkans, including through the Countering Russian Influence Fund and the Countering People’s Republic of China Malign Influence Fund. It must also include an assessment of the tactics, techniques, and procedures that the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense, determines are likely to be used in future Russian or Chinese malign influence operations. Each report will be submitted in unclassified form.
Concerns Over Democracy in Serbia
The law also expresses concern over the state of democracy in Serbia.
“Parliamentary and local elections held in Serbia on December 17, 2023, and their immediate aftermath raise deep concerns regarding the state of democracy in the country, including in light of the findings of the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR,” the text states.
The law further provides that Serbia and Kosovo should strive for immediate progress in implementing the Brussels–Ohrid Agreement on the path toward normalization of relations. It notes that the United States should continue to support the achievement of a comprehensive final agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, based on mutual recognition.
Among the positions of Congress is also support for maintaining the full mandate of the EUFOR peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is described as a matter of importance to US national security. NATO and the EU are urged to review their mandates and mission deployments in the country in order to ensure a more proactive role in establishing a stable and secure environment, particularly in the field of defense.
The law also states that the United States should increase trade ties and investments in the Western Balkans, especially with the aim of reducing dependence on Russian energy sources, increasing energy diversification, efficiency, and savings, and facilitating the transition to cleaner and more reliable energy sources.
The National Defense Authorization Act, supported by lawmakers from both parties, provides for expenditures of approximately 900 billion dollars. | BGNES
