Interview of Russian Ambassador to Macedonia Oleg Shcherbak with the newspaper Nova Makedonija, published April 23, 2016

Question: In recent years, Russia has repeatedly expressed concern about the complex situation in Macedonia. In light of this, the April 14 Russian Foreign Ministry’s comment on the new round of the political crisis in our country seems entirely natural. Would you specify what has made Russia express such a strong response to the events in Macedonia?

Oleg Shcherbak: Russia is an integral part of “big Europe,” so it is naturally interested in building peace and security on the Balkans, including in Macedonia. Any attempts at destabilisation in your country or other countries in this region, which have many complex and volatile ethnic- and faith-based problems, and other challenges, are destructive and fraught with uncontrolled escalation of tension, and are therefore a source of concern to us. It is also important that Russia is a UN Security Council Permanent Member and bears particular responsibility as such for the preservation of global peace and security.

Question: Some analysts are hinting that, according to the comment, Russia has supported the sitting ruling coalition, thus taking its side in the intra-Macedonian political confrontation. Would you comment on these statements?

Oleg Shcherbak: Our top priority, which we don’t disguise, is to preserve the peace, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as its successful development for the benefit of every citizen. Russia is open to close cooperation with every party or political leader who shares these goals.

We are stepping up our cooperation with Macedonia as a country, a people, if you like. Such friendly relations go beyond the political climate; they have a strategic, long-term nature. It would be wrong to assume that Russia is motivated to support a particular political force. Such statements are merely speculation. Actually, we strictly adhere to the principle of mutual respect and equal rights in our relations with Macedonia, which a priori means respect for your country’s law, as well as the moves and decisions taken by its leaders and legitimate authorities. Let me remind you that the previous election of 2014, the results of which helped form the legislative and executive power in Macedonia, with minor reservations, was recognised by numerous international observers, including Western ones.

Russia's attitude toward Macedonians has always been friendly; Russians sincerely wish them peace and prosperity. Therefore we call on all political parties to refrain from violence and the escalation of tension, to build a constructive and responsible dialogue to find ways to resolve the crisis in compliance with the existing constitutional legal framework of Macedonia.

Every politician’s duty is to take care of its country and its people. Steps resulting in the destruction of state and triggering antagonism and social discord are the height of recklessness. This is especially dangerous for Macedonia, with its complex social and ethnic diversity.

Question: The unacceptability of the “Ukrainian scenario” in Macedonia is one of the key theses of the comment by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. What does this mean in the context of Macedonia?

Oleg Shcherbak: Let’s recall the February 2014 events in Ukraine. Radical political forces, including with external support, manipulated the protest mood among its citizens in defiance of the country’s Constitution, its laws, and followed the path of “street democracy” aimed at violently overthrowing the legitimate, legally elected authority. The geopolitical environment and the opposition’s extremist wing transformed the initial (and mainly rightful) demands to respect civil rights, fight corruption, ensure the rule of law and media freedom into slogans calling for victory by all means, and a path of confrontation with the authorities, their supporters and law enforcement agencies. These political forces used tainted information technologies, ostracism, blackmail, terror, provocations and threats of foreign sanctions against the sitting authorities, and open intimidation and pressure against all those in dissent. Russia has repeatedly warned its foreign counterparts of the danger of such actions and the devastating results of their interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs. It has called for preventing escalation of tension and for terminating the illegal actions taken by political radicals controlled by the West. Unfortunately, our partners in Brussels and Washington ignored these warnings, which instigated extremists to even more uncompromising and aggressive steps.

We are all well aware of what this resulted in. The “revolution of dignity,” carried out under the slogans of a “struggle for European values,” led the country of 42 million into a complete economic and financial collapse and a civil war with thousands of victims. The society has been plunged into poverty, corruption and a breakdown of law instead of the promised freedoms. People that used to be united are now separated into two intransigent groups. The Ukrainian statehood itself is now in question: the country has lost its sovereignty and is actually governed from Washington and Brussels “in manual mode.”

I believe that Macedonians should themselves come to the conclusion on whether the ongoing political events in Macedonia resemble elements of the “Ukrainian scenario.”

Question: The comment by the Foreign Ministry also mentions the serious involvement of the foreign factor in the process of resolving the internal political situation in Macedonia. What do you think about such active involvement of external forces in resolving the crisis in our country?

Oleg Shcherbak: We have absolutely no misgivings about this. We would like to note that our Western colleagues, including the EU and the United States, are actively involved in domestic political processes in your country. It goes without saying that, as a sovereign state, Macedonia has the right to independently choose its own partners for addressing various issues. In this situation, however, I believe it is important that foreign intermediaries, even those who have been invited to play this role, should not go beyond specific regulations that are standard practice in civilised international communications. They should carry out their mission honestly, without any double standards, and they should by no means try to act on behalf of the entire international community. Obviously, their task is absolutely clear: they should help reach agreements, rather than impose their will on Macedonia’s political organisations on any issues whatsoever. Such is their function and their responsibility as intermediaries. But, in the long run, only the people of Macedonia and their legitimate representatives have the right to address issues of crucial importance for Macedonia. Any attempts to exert external pressure, including by openly manipulating the civil movement, can lead to disastrous and unpredictable consequences, as has repeatedly happened in other countries, including the above-mentioned tragedy in Ukraine. We should not forget that non-interference in the domestic affairs of sovereign states is a highly important principle of modern international law, and violating this principle is unacceptable and destructive. Macedonia should not be an exception in this respect.

Question: What decision, in your opinion, could meet the interests of strengthening peace and stability in Macedonia and ending the protracted crisis in our country to the greatest extent possible?

Oleg Shcherbak: Macedonia has repeatedly faced difficult and often dramatic challenges during its history, and it has always effectively coped with them. I don’t doubt that the same will happen this time, too. The decision should be made by citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, in line with your country’s Constitution, laws and legal system. I want to underscore once again that this decision should be made without any foreign interference. Most importantly, this decision should be found by peaceful methods and in line with democratic institutions and procedures. As we see it, parliamentary elections involving all citizens and political forces that feel a sense of responsibility for their country should be held as soon as possible. In our opinion, this is the only legitimate option in the current situation. To be a responsible politician and true democrat primarily means that one should respect one's fellow citizens and their voting results. I am confident that this will allow politicians to show real, rather than imaginary, responsibility before the people, their descendants and numerous generations of ancestors who had dreamed for centuries about their own Macedonian state. I am confident that this responsibility will become a benchmark allowing the people to make the right choice.

Question: Does Russian history know any instances when politicians suspected of committing serious crimes were pardoned, as President of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov has recently done?

Oleg Shcherbak: Yes, similar but not identical cases of pardoning various politicians have taken place in Russia. In 1994, the Russian Parliament declared a political amnesty for all persons charged with an attempted unconstitutional coup in 1991 and 1993. The amnesty played an extremely positive role in overcoming tough opposition in society, restoring public order and civil peace in Russia, which at the time was experiencing one of the most difficult periods of its history. By the way, the first black president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela acted in a similar manner. In 1994, he said that criminal cases against thousands of people involved in the civil war would be closed. This made it possible to stabilise the situation in the country and to launch the policy of national reconciliation and accord.