Among the European countries that watched with great concern when President Donald Trump failed to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday, and when he lambasted NATO and the European Union earlier in his trip to the continent, was Macedonia. The Balkan nation of 2 million people has been trying for years to gain entrance into NATO, to the great irritation of Russia.
One could excuse the Macedonians for feeling a sense of confusion about what the future holds. The country has had much to celebrate in recent weeks, but also a great deal to worry about.
During the NATO summit in Brussels, Macedonia was at long last formally invited to become a member of the alliance, with the official communiqué announcing the invitation signed by all of NATO’s assembled leaders, including Trump.