UK aid cuts slash funding to counter Russian influence in western Balkans. UK government funding aimed at countering Russian aggression, misinformation and cyber threats in the western Balkans has been cut by 40%, following Keir Starmer’s decision to reduce overseas aid spending.
Money allocated to the region through the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) will fall from £40m last year to £24m in 2025–26, despite the prime minister previously describing the western Balkans as critical to Britain’s national security. The area includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, where Russia has been accused of fuelling division and instability.
The ISF supports efforts to combat cyber-attacks, disinformation campaigns, and to strengthen democratic institutions and independent media. However, Cabinet Office figures show that Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the region under the fund has dropped from £31.91m in 2024–25 to £17m in 2025–26, alongside a further £1.15m cut in non-ODA funding.
UK aid cuts slash funding to counter Russian influence
The reductions stem from the government’s plan to lower ODA spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027, with 2025–26 marking the first year of the transition.
Emily Thornberry, chair of the foreign affairs select committee, warned that the cuts come at a dangerous moment. After visiting the region earlier this month, she said the western Balkans are “on the frontline” of Russian disinformation efforts and argued that support for independent media should be increased, not reduced.
Dr Kate Ferguson of the NGO Protection Approaches said the UK has built a strong reputation as a trusted partner in the region, cautioning that scaling back resources now risks weakening the response to growing Russian influence. With democratic norms under pressure, she said, Britain’s leadership should be strengthened rather than diluted.
