Russia recognizes North Macedonia under new name

The Kremlin on Monday finally recognized the newly christened Republic of North Macedonia under its new constitutional name, despite previous reservations expressed over the legality, as it claimed, of a name change envisioned under the Prespa Agreement.

The decision was announced by the Russian foreign ministry, which cited a note verbale sent by the Skopje government to the country’s embassy in North Macedonia on Feb. 19, which officially announced the name change.

“The Russian federation recognizes this country under its new name, the Republic of North Macedonia,” an announcement read.

Moscow has not hidden its opposition to a name change for the land-locked SE European country, as part of a compromise agreement with Greece, mostly over the fact that North Macedonia is now on a “fast track” to NATO membership.