Voices From Macedonia

"I have nothing good to say about Greeks, as they are only creating trouble for us," says Petre, a locksmith, in central Skopje. "We don't need to join NATO or the EU; this is not in our tradition. As an orthodox Christian, only Putin can save us."

Macedonian soldiers patrol the country's 234-kilometer border with Greece.

Emilija, a hotel receptionist, poses for a portrait in an old part of the waterside city of Ohrid. Emilija says she expects living standards to rise once the country joins the EU and NATO. "Greeks come here as tourists and we're friends," she says. "I can say only good things about them. It is only politics that is causing trouble between people."

Dusk in central Skopje, the Macedonian capital.

Muharem, a professional landlord, poses for a portrait in Skopje. "It's up to politicians to make a deal about the name, not up to people. Salaries here are about 200 euros per month, and I don't think this will change if we join NATO. Greeks have to return properties in northern Greece that they took from Macedonians in the past. After that, I hope we can make a deal."

A girl imitates the Mother Teresa monument in central Skopje. Born to ethnic Albanians under Ottoman rule, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu dedicated her life to the poor and sick of Calcutta and was beatified in 2016.

Marica, a housewife, pauses for a portrait in a village alongside Lake Ohrid. "We are Macedonians and we are not interested in changing our name. For my whole life I've been called Marica; it would be the same as if someone would force me now to change my name... But Greeks are good people; they come here often and I go to Greece once a year. It is only politics that is dividing us. Jobs and good salaries [are] what we need in Macedonia; NATO can't help us with this."

The flooded Church of St. Nicholas, in Macedonia's Mavrovo Lake.

Maja, a professional musician, poses for a portrait before a concert in the Macedonian capital. "Greeks are a brotherly nation to us. If there were not so many aggressive politicians who made this problem between us, our cooperation would be much better," she says. "I don't know the experiences of countries that recently joined NATO, maybe there will be some kind of a step forward; but these days, when looking at global politics, I'm not so sure."

Protesters hold Russian and Macedonian flags in a protest ahead of Skopje's compromise with Athens on a new name for the country: Republic Of North Macedonia.