In an interview with VOA’s Macedonian Service, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Laura K. Cooper said that for the United States, the European Union membership process of North Macedonia and Albania must progress rapidly.

Ms. Cooper praised the leading role of North Macedonia in approaching the integration process through talks between Skopje and Sofia, which resulted in a fruitful diplomatic dialogue.

She warned, however, that Russia would try to exploit the divisions and hinder the two countries’ EU membership, as it had done before with NATO membership.

Ms. Cooper said that in this context, the fight against misinformation is of special value, which will be an ongoing challenge for all NATO member countries and beyond. She praised the commitment of North Macedonia to meet this challenge, through the creation of concrete programs, allocation of appropriate resources, as well as the development of a direct dialogue with the public and NATO allies.

“Not every piece of misinformation can be corrected. This is not a fruitful way. But, we can be clear about the right direction, e.g. “To tell the truth about what is happening in Ukraine,” she said.

Asked about the consequences that countries like North Macedonia could have from a possible Russian reaction after the Russian Foreign Minister’s trip to Belgrade was stopped, Ms. Cooper noted that at this very moment, Russia is trying to return to important positions in international relations.

“And the reality is that Russia is more isolated than ever. We saw this in the UN General Assembly votes. We saw this in the massive sanctions against Russia, including the latest measure taken by the Europeans to restrict energy imports from Russia… Russia thought that the war in Ukraine would tear NATO apart. Russia thought it would help it achieve its foreign policy objectives. In fact, what Russia has found is that its military is ashamed of its poor results and outdated methods.”

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense reiterated that in the Balkan region, the means most used by Russia are in the field of information, while making continuous efforts to influence the media that prepare the news and to influence the way people perceive Russia’s politics, as well as to hinder the work of governments in the region and  sow discord in the population. Fortunately, Cooper said, the West also has the ability to use information truthfully and to counter Russia’s disinformation tools.

/Klara Ruci/