Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Matthew Palmer in Sofia: We are concerned about Russia's intentions in Western Balkans

Photo: BGNES

In an interview with Radio Free Europe during his visit to Sofia, Deputy Assistant Secretary at U.S. Department of State, Matthew Palmer, in charge of the Western Balkans, has expressed dissatisfaction over blocking the EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.

According to Palmer activities of Russian agents in the region were also a challenge to the European perspective of the Balkans, pointing out the coup attempt in Montenegro. He said the US had a vision for the Western Balkans different than the Russian one. He added that the US vision for the Western Balkans was a positive one for a region that is at peace with itself, with its neighbors; a region that is stable, prosperous and integrated in the European family, while Russia preferred fragmented Western Balkans, where it could raise or lower tensions in order to drive a wedge between the Western Balkans and the West.

In the framework of the visit of Matthew Palmer and First Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US Treasury - Paul Ahern, US Ambassador to Sofia Herro Mustafa gathered for dinner representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ambassadors from countries in the Western Balkans, Greece and Croatia.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM