Diplomatic Tensions Rise as Russian Foreign Minister Visits NATO Member State

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is set to visit North Macedonia, a NATO member country, for an OSCE meeting, marking his first visit to a NATO country since Russia's military intervention in Ukraine. Lavrov's plane will need to fly through Bulgarian or Greek airspace, both NATO members, to reach Skopje. Lavrov's visit comes amidst heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with Lavrov stating that the security situation in Europe is more dangerous now than during the Cold War. He also expressed Moscow's focus on safeguarding its economy, life, and security rather than rebuilding ties with Europe.