President Stevo Pendarovski took part in Friday’s extraordinary virtual summit of NATO heads of state and government to discuss the security situation in and around Ukraine. In his address during the meeting, President Pendarovski emphasized the necessity of unity “at this critical moment for the international rules-based order and for peace and security in Europe.”

President Pendarovski reiterated the state position that Macedonia condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine, assessing that it is unjustified and unprovoked.

We strongly condemn Russia’s recognition of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent territories. We join the calls for Russia to immediately cease its military action and withdraw all military troops and capacities from Ukraine, said President Pendarovski.

He reminded that Russia must respect international norms and act in accordance with the principles of international security architecture, to which it has committed itself.

In response to Russian military action in Ukraine, the President informed that Macedonia is joining the set of sanctions of the European Union against Russia, reads a statement from Pendarovski’s Office.

The President stressed that Macedonia fully supports NATO’s efforts for rapid response and deployment of troops to strengthen security on the territory of the Allies on the eastern wing of the Alliance and underlined that our country contributes to these efforts, in accordance with its capabilities.