Lead

North Macedonia has joined the ``Coalition of the Willing,'' the Russian Ambassador to Skopje, Dmitry Zykov, said in an interview with TASS. He confirmed that Skopje's authorities joined the alliance during a meeting in Paris on July 13, describing the step as part of the country's alignment with the West. The announcement comes as the Kremlin dismissed the coalition as a group of ``warmongers'' seeking to prolong the conflict in Ukraine.

Coverage Comparison

All reporting on this story comes from TASS, the Russian state news agency. The agency's coverage includes direct statements from Russian officials and diplomatic representatives, providing the Kremlin's perspective on North Macedonia's decision and the broader Western-led coalition.

In an article published July 20, TASS quoted Ambassador Zykov as saying that North Macedonia's accession to the ``openly anti-Russian project'' fits into the course pursued by official Skopje in recent years, given the country's NATO membership and its foreign policy alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. The ambassador noted that North Macedonia had previously refrained from joining the coalition, and its participation in the Paris meeting received little attention from the local public.

Earlier, on July 13, TASS reported Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov's remarks ahead of a coalition meeting in Paris. Peskov told reporters that the coalition ``seeks not peace but instead a continuation of war,'' calling it a ``coalition of warmongers'' and a ``coalition of the misguided.'' He dismissed the idea that coalition members could inflict a strategic defeat on Russia as the ``greatest illusion.''

A third TASS article, dated June 20 and also featuring Ambassador Zykov, addressed North Macedonia's potential joining of the coalition. Zykov argued that such a move would run contrary to the country's national interests and that the North Macedonian public understands the ``destructive nature'' of the West's actions. He reiterated Russia's openness to a diplomatic settlement of the crisis around Ukraine, while accusing the West of fueling the conflict.

Key Claims

  • North Macedonia's membership in the coalition: Ambassador Zykov confirmed that North Macedonia joined the ``Coalition of the Willing'' during a meeting in Paris on July 13. He characterized the move as part of the country's alignment with NATO and EU foreign policy.
  • Military and technical assistance to Ukraine: Zykov stated that North Macedonia has provided military and technical assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's ``special military operation.'' He added that, according to official statements, Skopje ranks among the leading NATO countries in per-capita assistance.
  • Defense spending increase: Zykov said North Macedonia is increasing its defense spending and participating in Europe's militarization in response to a ``fictitious 'Russian threat.'``
  • Coalition's goals: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the ``Coalition of the Willing'' seeks a continuation of war rather than peace. He described its members as ``misguided'' for believing they could inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.
  • Paris meeting outcome: According to Zykov, the Paris meeting resulted in a statement adopted on behalf of the coalition's participants expressing support for Ukraine. The specific details of the statement were not disclosed in the provided material.
  • Russia's stance on diplomacy: Zykov emphasized that Russia remains open to a diplomatic settlement of the crisis around Ukraine, which he said would involve eliminating its root causes. He accused the coalition of trying to impose ultimatums disguised as a commitment to talks.
  • West's role in the crisis: Zykov asserted that Europe has made a significant ``contribution'' to fueling the Ukrainian crisis, and its attempts to ``settle'' the situation have not succeeded.

Perspectives

Russian Government

The Russian government, represented by Ambassador Dmitry Zykov and Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, views North Macedonia's decision to join the ``Coalition of the Willing'' as a negative step aligned with Western policies perceived as hostile to Russia. They argue that the coalition seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine and that North Macedonia's participation is contrary to its national interests, given the positive attitude of its citizens toward Russia. Russia reiterates its openness to a diplomatic settlement, blaming the West for escalating tensions.