Moscow: Skopje made a huge mistake to donate tanks to Ukraine

Russia considers the North Macedonia authorities' decision to donate Ukrainian tanks a huge mistake.

So said on August 2nd Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zaharova, who commented on the Macedonian authorities' decision to donate Ukraine tanks, which, according to Russian media, Skopje had taken from Russia in 2000 to fight against Albanian “separatists.

Zaharova said that northern Macedonia has given support to “the continuation of the regime's criminal activities at Kiev”.

“Despite the fact that, according to North Macedonia authorities, it is a harmless donation of old equipment -- Skopje as a NATO loyal -- is involved in sending weapons to Ukraine, thus contributing to the continuation of the regime's criminal activity in Kiev against the civilian population in Donbas”, she said.

According to Zaharova, all of this leads to further deterioration of the situation. “We believe this is a major error in the North Macedonia leadership”.

Northern Macedonia on 29 July disclosed that it donated tanks to Ukraine, which, according to the Army and the Ministry of Defence, are third-generation tanks, and given the development of technology, they are considered uncompetitive and not compatible.

It has previously donated medical equipment to Ukraine and other aid to the civilian population.

Northern Macedonia, which in the first days of Russian aggression, has given support to the government in Kiev, respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while supporting all sanctions against Russia