Zaev: These pranks are a private arrangement not an act by the Russian Federation


North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Thursday he has talked with Russian Ambassador Sergey Bazdnikin and will meet him as part of their regular communication, not related to the recent phone conversation with the Russian pranksters who posed as former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

“We are in regular communication with all ambassadors. This meeting was scheduled ten days ago. I believe these pranks are a private arrangement not an act by the Russian Federation, and these things should not get in the way of our friendly relations. Cooperation with the Russian Federation is one of our objectives, including its enhancement in all fields,” PM Zaev told the media at the opening of a Lukoil gas station in the capital.

Prime Minister Zaev said he promotes friendship and enhancement of regional cooperation, which had been confirmed in the conversations with the Russian pranksters.

“We are a small country, we want to be friends with everyone, even those against the NATO enlargement. Our intention is not hostility towards the Russian Federation by becoming a NATO member. On the contrary, I believe this will maintain peace in North Macedonia and the entire region,” said PM Zaev.