Trump keeps Western Balkans sanctions in place

US President Donald Trump has extended for another year the emergency order that lets Washington sanction people accused of destabilising the Western Balkans.

The order will now stay in force until June 2027.

It allows the United States to target individuals, groups and organisations accused of threatening peace agreements, democratic institutions or the sovereignty of countries in the region.

The White House said corruption, extremist violence and attempts to avoid US sanctions still threaten regional stability and US interests.

The Western Balkans order has been in place since 2001.

It has been expanded over the years to cover serious corruption, attacks on democratic institutions and threats to post-war peace deals.