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

MEP Andrey Kovatchev

EP to drop all references to "Macedonian identity and language" from Skopje's progress report

The three largest parties in the European Parliament — the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and Renew Europe have reached an agreement to remove all references to ''Macedonian..

published on 7/4/25 9:51 AM

Scorching Friday with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees

It will be sunny and hot on Friday. Maximum temperatures will range between 33°C and 38°C, around 33°C in Sofia. It will also be sunny along the Black Sea coast. There will be a light to moderate easterly and southeasterly wind in the afternoon..

published on 7/3/25 6:35 PM
Daniel Mitov

Rising number of Moroccan nationals attempt illegal crossings into Bulgaria

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov told reporters that migrant pressure and attempts to cross the Bulgarian-Turkish border illegally are decreasing . He said that compared to 2023, attempts at illegal crossing had decreased by around 70%. The minister..

published on 7/3/25 5:46 PM