Bugajski: Moscow sees new Russian stronghold in Skopje

American analyst Janusz Bugajski says that Skopje is the new Russian stronghold on the Balkans, and the Kremlin counts on Macedonia to become the new Republika Srpska entity.

“If Macedonia’s path to Western institutions is blocked, national tensions will rise in the entire region. The Kremlin will invest additional energy to threaten the fragile democratic achievements in the Western Balkans making the EU and NATO even more unattainable,” the analyst tells the Montenegrin daily ‘Pobjeda’.

Bugajski says the low turnout brought the Agreement with Greece on Macedonia’s name change into question, as well as the country’s EU and NATO accession process.

“If the agreement doesn’t receive the necessary support, the country will be exposed to ethnic radicalisation, regional instability and Moscow’s interference. The only way out for (PM Zoran) Zaev would be the early election in November, even though this would also be a risky move considering that nationalists were encouraged by the referendum boycott,” he noted.

If Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo President Hashim Thaci agreed on the border change, the analyst notes, some Albanian leaders in Kosovo and Macedonia might see an opportunity for further homogenisation, and territorial connections.

“Nationalism and separatism will make the country prone to Russian influence. Moscow sees its stronghold in Macedonia in its fight against the EU and NATO. The Kremlin can count on Macedonia turning into another Republika Srpska entity,” Bugajski stresses.