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

PM Zhelyazkov heads the Bulgarian delegation at the funeral of Pope Francis

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will lead the Bulgarian delegation to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome , Italy, the Cabinet’s press office announced. The delegation also includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications..

published on 4/26/25 8:05 AM

24 May declared Bulgarian Heritage Day in Las Vegas for the third year in a row

May 24 will be declared Bulgarian Heritage Day by the Mayor of Las Vegas, Shelley Berkley, Bulgaria's Consulate General in Los Angeles announced. The official meeting between the new mayor of the largest and most popular city in the state of Nevada..

published on 4/26/25 7:55 AM

More afternoon showers over the weekend

On Saturday lows will be between 5 and 10°C, around 7°C in Sofia. Before noon it will be mostly sunny and calm. In the afternoon there will be isolated showers and thunderstorms. Maximum temperatures will be between 20 and 25°C, around 21°C in the..

published on 4/25/25 7:05 PM