Kulla: Bujar Osmani’s Invitation to Lavrov in Skopje Paved the Way for the Russian “Open Balkan” Project

Albanian analyst Ilir Kulla has described the “Open Balkan” initiative and the idea of changing borders in the Balkans as projects that enjoyed Russia’s support.

During an interview with publicist Veton Surroi, he said these initiatives were part of Moscow’s strategy to expand Russia’s presence and influence in the region.

In this context, Kulla also mentioned the visit of former Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Skopje several years ago. According to him, the welcome extended to Lavrov by North Macedonia’s then-Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani was intended to lay the groundwork for advancing these projects in the Balkans.

He said the political developments of that period should be analyzed within the context of Russia’s efforts to expand its influence in the region, linking them to the debates at the time over the “Open Balkan” initiative and changes to borders.

Kulla expressed these views during the interview with Veton Surroi, and they represent his perspective on geopolitical developments in the Balkans.