Richard Grenell posts video from Skopje; government confirms private meeting with Mickoski and Mucunski
The former U.S. special envoy posted video footage from a high-rise in Kisela Voda; Skopje visit on July 29, 2026 included a private meeting at VMRO‑DPMNE headquarters.
Richard Grenell published a short video on Instagram showing a panoramic view of Skopje, and the Government of North Macedonia confirmed that the former U.S. envoy visited the capital on July 29, 2026 and held a private meeting with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski.
In his Instagram post Grenell wrote: "Skopje, Macedonia, is a beautiful city." The clip was filmed from higher floors of a residential–office building identified as Adora Flatiron in the Kisela Voda neighbourhood, where the city panorama is clearly visible.
Private visit, meeting at party headquarters
The Government issued a short statement confirming the visit and the meeting. "Ambassador Grenell was in Skopje on July 29, 2026, on a private visit. As part of his stay a private meeting was held with the Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, which took place at the headquarters of VMRO-DPMNE and represented a continuation of friendly relations and mutual communication," the Government said.
Officials did not specify whether the discussions covered concrete political or commercial-investment topics of shared interest. Media and political commentators have previously mentioned the energy project "Chebren" in connection with possible international participation.
Grenell has met repeatedly in recent years with Mickoski and Mucunski. The three met at the margins of the Munich Security Conference in February, and Mickoski and Grenell were also photographed together during Mickoski's visit to the United States for Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025.
Earlier encounters include Grenell's visit to North Macedonia in August 2024 and a Washington meeting on July 8, 2024, attended by Mickoski, Mucunski and then-Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, where participants discussed potential opportunities for future joint investments in projects important for the region.
Photo: EPA-EFE/CLEMENS BILAN
