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North Macedonia starts purchasing Azerbaijani gas on regular basis — Russian envoy

TASS · 🇷🇺 public Russia · · 151 words
Energy Economics Geopolitical Influence
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What to know about Energy Economics

Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zykov stated that North Macedonia began regularly purchasing Azerbaijani gas in early 2026. He noted that Azerbaijani gas currently holds a larger market share than Russian gas but is significantly more expensive.

Propaganda risk 30%
Claims checked 6
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Right coverage
Left17%
Center83%
Right0%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

North Macedonia started to purchase Azerbaijani gas on a regular basis in early 2026, which is twice as expensive as Russian gas, Moscow’s Ambassador to the Balkan nation Dmitry Zykov said in an interview with TASS.

Why it matters

"In November 2024, Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company SOCAR and North Macedonia’s state-owned company ESM signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in the energy sector, which provides for long-term natural gas supplies.

Common ground

Azerbaijani gas has been present on the Macedonian market on a regular basis since early 2026.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Cherry Picking: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zykov stated that North Macedonia began regularly purchasing Azerbaijani gas in early 2026. He noted that Azerbaijani gas currently holds a larger market share than Russian gas but is significantly more expensive.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://tass.com/politics/2125735

analyticsAnalysis

30%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 90%
Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Cherry Picking 70% confidence
Selectively presenting evidence that supports one side while ignoring contrary evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing cherry picking helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 6 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 5
check_circle Corroborated 1
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Claim 1: “North Macedonia received gas from Azerbaijan through the Trans-Anatolian and the Trans Adriatic pipelines, then from Greece via Bulgaria”
CORROBORATED
The route is corroborated by the TASS report (citing Zykov) and general technical descriptions of the Southern Gas Corridor from Wikipedia and TAP, which confirm that Azerbaijani gas flows through TANAP and TAP into South East Europe (Greece/Bulgaria region).
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP; Azerbaijani: Trans-Anadolu Təbii Qaz Boru Kəməri, Turkish: Trans-Anadolu Doğalgaz Boru Hattı) is a natural gas pipeline in Turkey. It is the central pa…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Anatolian_gas_pipeline
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Zykov added that North Macedonia received gas from Azerbaijan "through the Trans-Anatolian and the Trans Adriatic pipelines, then from Greece via Bulgaria.".
https://tass.com/politics/2125735
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — TAP is an essential part of the Southern Gas Corridor, offering a direct and cost-effective transportation route to South East European countries and beyond. It transports natural gas from the Caspian…
https://www.tap-ag.com/about-tap/the-big-picture/the-souther…
info
Claim 2: “In the first two months of the year [2026], its [Azerbaijani gas] share in physical supplies stood at 32%”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim includes a TASS report mentioning the start of purchases and general gas diversification articles, but none of the provided sources mention the specific figure of a 32% share in physical supplies for the first two months of 2026.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — North Macedonia started to purchase Azerbaijani gas on a regular basis in early 2026, which is twice as expensive as Russian gas, Moscow’s Ambassador to the Balkan nation Dmitry Zykov said in an inter…
https://tass.com/politics/2125735
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The first and third options would effectively lower Russian gas supplies to Europe, but would also require additional Azeri gas. Most importantly, replacing around 10–15 bcm of Russian gas by January …
https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/swapping-azeri-gas-for…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — With the start of Azeri gas deliveries, the Bulgarian state gas trader faces a significant challenge reconciling the agreed volumes in its long-term contracts with Gazexport and the Azerbaijani Gas Su…
https://caspianbarrel.org/en/2020/11/ies-gas-brief-diversifi…
info
Claim 3: “North Macedonia started to purchase Azerbaijani gas on a regular basis in early 2026”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that North Macedonia started purchasing Azerbaijani gas in early 2026 is explicitly stated in a TASS report citing Ambassador Dmitry Zykov. While another source mentions deliveries to private consumers starting December 1 (year unspecified), there is only one specific source confirming the 'early 2026' regular purchase timeline.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Azerbaijan national under-20 football team are a feeder team for the main Azerbaijan national football team. Founded in 2015, the team is controlled by the AFFA. In 2027, Azerbaijan will co-host t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan_national_under-20_f…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bilateral relations exist between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of North Macedonia in the political, socio-economic, cultural and other spheres.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan–North_Macedonia_rel…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The North Macedonia national football team (Macedonian: Фудбалска репрезентација на Северна Македонија, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija na Severna Makedonija) represents North Macedonia in men's i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Macedonia_national_footb…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 4: “the share of Russian gas was 28% [in the first two months of 2026]”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence includes general information about Russian gas reserves and the TASS report on Azerbaijani gas, but there is no mention of Russian gas accounting for exactly 28% of supplies in the first two months of 2026.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The first direct gas pipeline between Russia and Turkey under the Black Sea was Blue Stream, which was commissioned in 2005.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TurkStream
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — North Macedonia started to purchase Azerbaijani gas on a regular basis in early 2026, which is twice as expensive as Russian gas, Moscow’s Ambassador to the Balkan nation Dmitry Zykov said in an inter…
https://tass.com/politics/2125735
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Russia has the largest natural gas reserves in the world – at 1,688.228 billion cubic meters (BCM) – and exports more natural gas than any other country, shipping an estimated 175.7 billion cubic mete…
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/natural-g…
info
Claim 5: “In November 2024, Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil company SOCAR and North Macedonia’s state-owned company ESM signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in the energy sector”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of irrelevant search results regarding the Dallas Cowboys NFL team. No evidence was found regarding a memorandum between SOCAR and ESM in November 2024.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Aug 27, 2024 · Forced to trim the roster down to 53 players, the Dallas Cowboys released Carl Lawson and waived Peyton Hendershot, along with a list of other transactions.
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2024-cowboys-roster-carl-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Nov 6, 2025 · The Cowboys woke up Thursday morning to the worst news imaginable, learning of the tragic death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.
https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/marshawn-kneeland-passes-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 8, 2026 · The Official Home Of The Dallas Cowboys Breaking Camp Following two days of practices and media availability, a look back at news and notes from Cowboys rookie minicamp as Dallas' rookie…
https://www.dallascowboys.com/
info
Claim 6: “Azerbaijani gas... is twice as expensive as Russian gas”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that Azerbaijani gas is twice as expensive as Russian gas is attributed solely to the TASS interview with Ambassador Dmitry Zykov. No other independent source provides price comparisons to corroborate this specific ratio.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Bilateral relations exist between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of North Macedonia in the political, socio-economic, cultural and other spheres.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan–North_Macedonia_rel…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mogamed Ibragimkhalilovich Ibragimov (Azerbaijani: Məhəmməd İbrahimxəlil oğlu İbrahimov; Russian: Магомед Ибрагимхалилович Ибрагимов; Macedonian: Могамед Ибрагимхалилович Ибрагимов; born 22 July 1974)…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magomed_Ibragimov_(wrestler,_b…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The North Macedonia national football team (Macedonian: Фудбалска репрезентација на Северна Македонија, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija na Severna Makedonija) represents North Macedonia in men's i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Macedonia_national_footb…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.