Closing the Russian embassy in Sofia would be a mistake on Moscow's part and there is no real reason for it, Marin Raykov, former caretaker prime minister and foreign minister of Bulgaria, told BNR.

He believes that if the tensions continue to escalate, this could affect bilateral relations. The escalation will certainly not come from Bulgaria's side, Raikov believes. Marin Raykov, who is currently Bulgaria's ambassador to the UK, dismissed suggestions that there are "attempts by London and Washington to reduce the presence in Russian diplomatic missions in Europe". 

The diplomat praised the mediating role of the French presidency in the conflict between Bulgaria and North Macedonia over Skopje's EU membership, which has not been done at such a level by previous EU presidencies, in his words.