Skopje, 15 February 2024 (MIA) - North Macedonia has very much demonstrated its values and its value as a very extraordinary NATO ally. North Macedonia is the fourth per capita contributor to assistance to Ukraine, not only in military equipment but also in other assistance as well. We are very grateful, and frankly, many other richer countries have not stepped up in the same way as this country had, the US Ambassador Angela Aggeler said in an interview with Kanal 5 TV on Thursday.

She thanked the people of this country and the institutions who have supported Ukraine and its efforts both through NATO and in other ways against the horrible, brutal, and bloody invasion by Russia and Putin.

When asked whether this year's presidential elections in the USA could impact the dynamics of aid towards Ukraine, Aggeler said, “It is a very important question. I do not agree that there is fatigue. We have just seen that the United States Senate passed a bill that would include US$61 billion more in assistance to Ukraine. This just happened in the last couple of days; it is has now gone to the House of Representatives.”

“But what’s important is that in the United States like here in North Macedonia, we are having elections this year and that's why there will always be certain politicians who will try to take an issue and gain some political positive momentum, by making it controversial. But it is my belief that because the people of the USA so strongly support Ukraine, and its efforts of sovereignty, and to end this war that we will continue to support them. I am very confident that we will just as I’m very confident that the people of this country will as well,” she noted.

If the conflict in Ukraine is not resolved quickly, there is a danger that it could spill over and threaten the Western Balkans, which are already vulnerable, Aggeler said that's a really important question because, as we know, wars and conflicts do not stay within borders. 

“This began with an invasion by President Putin and the Russian military into Ukraine. The impact of has already been felt, the economic impact, the social impact has been felt all over the world. North Macedonia is a European country, and there is a war in Europe, and that has wide and very strongly felt impacts across this continent. Therefore, it is imperative, even though troops may not be coming over the border tomorrow, the whole notion of NATO is that allies protect other allies. So, understanding that and recognizing the place this country has in the Western Balkans and across Europe is critically important. No one is safe and Putin will not give up unless he is beaten,” Aggeler said.

In regard to the Deputy Secretary-General of NATO's indication that increased activity of hybrid threats is expected in anticipation of the elections in our country, the most important thing that the people of this country recognize that.

“The notion of hybrid threats is incredibly important and we are all aware of it. As you say it is hybrid it isn’t necessary boots on the ground coming over a border, but whether it's interference in upcoming elections, whether it’s disinformation, we know that the Russians are here and they are in this region, practising the kind of malign influence that we've seen, frankly, around the world, we have seen their attempts right in the United States to have an effect on our previous elections. They are very active here and they are looking for every opportunity to spread chaos and the most important thing in my mind is that the people of this country recognize that, educate themselves and make sure that they asking the hard questions not of their politicians of the candidates, but also understanding that they can look to journalists and they can look to people like you to help them recognize the truth from fraudulent information and then make their decisions based on the realities and what is out there and what is credible,” Aggeler said in the interview.

Photo: MIA archive