EU tells Russia: Keep Balkans out of East-West tensions

France's President Francois Hollande (L) shakes hands with Russia's President Vladimir Putin during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brisbane November 15, 2014. REUTERS/Alain Jocard/Pool

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The European Union urged Russia on Friday not to drag the Western Balkans into its deepening rift with the West over Ukraine, reflecting concern that the region risks becoming another point of East-West tension.

The countries of the Western Balkans have their sights set on membership of the EU, but diplomats say Russia is exploiting economic hard times and pro-Russian sentiment among some Orthodox Christian Slavs to build influence in the region.