Germany to Move Against Russia If Balkans Invaded

   Germany is stepping up efforts to counter concerns over reports that Russia plans to invade Europe after asserting itself in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently visited Serbia to review a military parade. Mr Putin has previously said Russia will not get involved in political affairs of other countries and will instead focus on building its military.

   German President Joachim Gauck went to Slovenia in an attempt to downplay Russia's growing influence in the region, according to Financial Times. Mr Gauck visited a vocational training centre, monastery and an aircraft factory. Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of German government's foreign affairs committee with a special interest in the Balkans, declared that Germany remains committed to the region.

   He added that Germany must make more visits and send experts as Russia is "coming into the region as the competitor." The ongoing crisis in Ukraine is stoking fears in the West that Russia is out to assert itself in other countries in eastern Europe including the Balkans. According to reports, German officials are worried that Mr Putin will target other countries with economic and political vulnerability like Ukraine. While Croatia and Slovenia are members of the European Union, other countries in the region are still trying to join the alliance.

Germany to move against Russia

   German Chancellor Angela Merkel raised concerns over the Balkans in the G20 summit in November in Australia. She said she did not want to see Russia making decisions in other capitals in eastern Europe. Ms Merkel also made it clear that Germany would respond if this happens.

   German officials fear Moscow may be soon set its sight on countries which are highly dependent on Russia for gas like Hungary and Slovakia. Estonia and Latvia, countries with a significant number of Russian minorities are also feared to be targeted, the FT report said.

Western portrayal of Russian movements

   Meanwhile, Western media has been accused of "demonising Russia" as every Russian move is allegedly being interpreted as a "sinister war threat." Press TV said that the latest incident involving Russian warships in the English Channel was viewed being reported by the British-owned Daily Mail as a Russian effort to do something "untoward, illegal and threatening."

   The Daily Mail has been accused of wrongly suggesting that Russian ships were conducting a secretive mission against international law.  Press Tv insists that Russian vessels remained in international waters at all times and only conducted legal military training maneuvers.