Albanian PM stands up for Ukraine after Kosovo dispute

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama urged not to link support for Ukraine with Kyiv's position on Kosovo independence. He admitted that he considers the Ukrainian position wrong, but stressed that this does not change Ukraine's right to defend itself against Russian aggression. Rama wrote this on August 13 on social network X.

The Albanian Prime Minister's statement came after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Serbia. The Ukrainian leader confirmed commitment to the principle of territorial integrity of states and Kyiv's stance on Kosovo, whose independence Ukraine does not officially recognize. In Albania and Kosovo, these words drew criticism from some politicians and the public.

Rama sharply spoke out against those who after that began to call for reconsidering the attitude towards Ukraine. According to him, among nationalist politicians and commentators in Tirana and Pristina there were proposals to actually 'punish' Kyiv and abandon previous support for the country. Some, the prime minister noted, even went as far as sympathizing with Russia.

The head of the Albanian government underlined that countering aggressive war and supporting a just peace should not depend on whether countries' positions coincide on all foreign policy issues. In his words, support for Ukraine cannot be seen as a favour for which Kyiv must reciprocate with similar political support on the Kosovo issue.

At the same time, Rama directly stated that he disagrees with the Ukrainian position.

'Ukraine may be wrong about Kosovo — and yes, it is wrong', — the prime minister wrote.

However, according to him, Ukraine's right to freedom remains indisputable, and the struggle for this right is simultaneously a struggle for the security and future of Europe.

Rama emphasized that Albania is capable of simultaneously supporting Kosovo's independence and remaining an ally of Ukraine. He concluded his address with words in support of a free Ukraine, making it clear that Tirana does not intend to change course because of disagreements over the Kosovo issue.

Tensions around Kyiv's position intensified after Zelenskyy's trip to Belgrade on August 8. In Pristina, after the Ukrainian president's visit, a large Ukrainian flag was removed from one of the buildings. Kosovo representatives explained this by discontent that Kyiv continues to adhere to the position of non-recognition of Kosovo's independence, despite the support that Kosovo gives to Ukraine.

Sources: Edi Rama, Office of the President of Ukraine, European Pravda