Russia Blames The U.S. For Fermenting Unrest In Macedonia

Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg: Macedonia, the New U.S.-Russia Battlefield

Macedonia is a poor, landlocked Balkan country of about 2 million. To the Kremlin, it's also the newest front in an ideological battle, with the U.S. fomenting regime change to counter Russia's influence. As is often the case, that view is correct to the extent that Russian interests are aligned with those of a corrupt authoritarian ruler.

Here's what Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had to say last week:

I cannot judge for sure, but it so happens objectively that these events in Macedonia are unfolding against the background of the Macedonian government's refusal to join sanctions against Russia and an active support from Skopje for the plans to build the Turkish Stream pipeline, to which many in Brussels and across the Atlantic are opposed. We cannot get rid of this feeling that there's some sort of a connection.

More News On The Unrest In Macedonia

Macedonia's defiant prime minister rallies supporters -- Deutsche Welle
Macedonia's Wiretapping Scandal Worsens Political Tensions -- NPR
Russian State Media Says U.S. Is Fomenting Riots in Macedonia -- Fiscal Times
'Macedonia unrest - another episode of West-Russia geopolitical battle' (Interview) -- RT
What's behind Macedonia's unrest? -- Al Jazeera
"Macedonia could be next Ukraine" - paper -- B92
Macedonia’s Maidan Moment? -- Radio Free Europe