MOSCOW, July 20. /TASS/. North Macedonia has joined the anti-Russian Coalition of the Willing, although this move went a little under the radar, Russian Ambassador to Skopje Dmitry Zykov told TASS.
"On July 13, another meeting of the Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris, during which North Macedonian authorities joined this openly anti-Russian project. Such a step generally fits into the course pursued by official Skopje in recent years, as the country is a NATO member and, according to numerous statements by local political elites, has brought its foreign policy fully in line with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy," the diplomat said.
Zykov noted that since the start of the special military operation, North Macedonian authorities have supported the Kiev regime not only through rhetoric but also by providing military and technical assistance. "According to officials, in terms of such assistance per capita, Skopje ranks among the leading countries in the North Atlantic Alliance," he said.
Zykov also said the country was increasing defense spending while participating in Europe's militarization in response to a fictitious "Russian threat." "Nevertheless, the fact that it joined the Coalition of the Willing cannot but cause disappointment, as North Macedonia had previously refrained from doing so. What happened on July 13 cannot be seen as a 'friendly' step in any way," the ambassador said.
