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Russia Would Not Risk Reputation to Interfere in Macedonia's Internal Affairs

© AP Photo / Boris GrdanoskiMacedonian Army honor guard officers change the national flags during a special ceremony in front of the government building in Macedonia's capital Skopje, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013
Macedonian Army honor guard officers change the national flags during a special ceremony in front of the government building in Macedonia's capital Skopje, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013 - Sputnik International
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Oleg Morozov, a member of Russia's Federation Council international affairs committee, said that while Macedonia and the Balkans in general are very important to Russia, on the whole, it is difficult to imagine that Russia would start meddling in all Macedonian affairs, risking its reputation.

People protest in front of the Parliament building in Skopje, Macedonia, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Macedonia's capital, Skopje, Tuesday to protest a visit by a European Union envoy who is trying to break the political deadlock that has left the country without a government for three months - Sputnik International
Moscow Slams 'Groundless Claims' of Involvement in Macedonia's Internal Affairs
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow would not risk its reputation to meddle in Macedonia's internal affairs or to dissuade it from joining NATO, Oleg Morozov, a member of Russia's Federation Council international affairs committee, told Sputnik on Monday.

On June 4, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), supported by the Open Society Foundations network, founded by billionaire George Soros, and the US Department of State, published an article claiming that Russian diplomats and spies have been spreading propaganda and provoking disagreements in Macedonia.

"While Macedonia and the Balkans in general are very important to Russia, on the whole, it is difficult to imagine that Russia would start meddling in all Macedonian affairs, risking its reputation. Such accusations are political conspirology, not based on any actual facts," Morozov said.

Protesters demonstrate in front of the parliament in Skopje, Macedonia, May 2, 2017 - Sputnik International
Soros and State Dept-Funded Group Accuses Russia of Meddling in Macedonia
According to the senator, the suggestion that Russia may thus be trying to prevent Macedonia from joining NATO is also groundless.

"Yes, [Macedonia joining NATO] would have been unpleasant, just like the accession of Montenegro. But Russia will not hurt its own reputation, lead any subversive activities. This would cost too much, it has reputational risks," Morozov outlined.

The Russian lawmaker added that such accusations seemed the result of generally anti-Russian mood, prevalent in Europe and the United States.

The OCCRP used what it said was a briefing for director of the Macedonian Administration for Security and Counterintelligence (UBK) and several other documents as the basis for its report. The report contains photos of only parts of the documents, which makes it hard to ascertain their authenticity.

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