We have taken note of the outrageous article in the Macedonian edition of Deutsche Welle that attempts to attribute the idea of dividing Macedonia between neighbouring states, which has been recently expressed by US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Mr Lavrov has never made a statement to this effect. More than that, he has always condemned such speculation.

It is obvious that this is a provocation designed to mar Russia’s image in the Balkans and pour fuel on the fire in Macedonia.

At the same time, Deutsche Welle appears unperturbed by gross interference by the preceding US administration and the EU in the internal affairs of Macedonia, the use of destructive methods of “colour revolutions,” or attempts to promote forms of the government that run contrary to the public will as expressed at the December 11, 2016 parliamentary elections there. We believe that these actions can undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia.