Who wanted to control the Balkans in 1914?

In 1914, the desire to control the Balkans was primarily held by Austria-Hungary and Russia. Austria-Hungary aimed to expand its influence in the region to counteract Slavic nationalism, while Russia sought to support Slavic populations and assert its dominance in the Balkans as a protector of Slavic nations. This tension contributed to the outbreak of World War I following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo. The Balkans were seen as a strategically important area, leading to increased rivalries among the great powers.