MI6 warns that the political closeness of some countries in the region with Russia creates a serious risk for possible interference by the Kremlin, compromising the security of the deportees and the integrity of the British immigration system itself.
The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Sir Keir Starmer, aims to advance the plan to set up “return stations” for migrants in the countries of the Western Balkans, despite warnings from the British intelligence service – MI6, which has expressed fear of the risk of infiltration by Russian spies, especially in the case of Serbia. According to government sources of the newspaper “The Times” which has paid attention to this issue, British intelligence has warned that the region is not safe for the placement of these centers, due to Russian influence in the Western Balkans.
The security report states that the creation of sensitive infrastructure in an area considered a “sphere of Russian influence” in Europe poses a risk of infiltration and interference by Russian agents, since the regime of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has already shown that it uses migration as a tool for destabilizing purposes.
In the preliminary list of the British government for the host countries are Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Albania is excluded because the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has openly refused such an agreement. Serbia is mentioned as the most sensitive country, considering the close relations of the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, and the fact that Russian citizens can enter and exit freely its territory. Reports of Russian weapons and logistics passing through Serbia further increase the fear of British security services.
The government of Great Britain aims to make public the destinations of the return centers before organizing the summit of Western Balkan leaders in London this fall, within the framework of the Berlin Process, where migration will be the main issue.
