Albania's PM calls for continued Ukraine support despite Kosovo stance
"Ukraine can be, and yes, it is wrong about Kosovo, but its right to be free remains unquestionable, and fighting for that right means fighting for Europe and for ourselves too," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote on X.
On August 13, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama urged for ongoing support of Ukraine, even as Kyiv faced regional criticism for not officially acknowledging Kosovo's independence. While Ukraine's stance on Kosovo may be misguided, its right to exist free is unquestionable, Rama wrote on the social media platform X. Rama stressed that opposing aggression and seeking a just peace are not things you abandon when faced with the disappointment of a victim of barbaric aggression.
This sentiment came after President Volodymyr Zelensky's first official visit to Serbia on August 7, where he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The visit held symbolic significance due to Serbia's historical ties with Moscow. During the trip, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine does not formally recognize Kosovo as an independent nation, a stance that drew harsh criticism from both Kosovo and Albania.
Kosovo, predominantly Albanian, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a decade of international administration following the 1998–99 Kosovo War. Its independence is acknowledged by the majority of Western nations, but Serbia still sees Kosovo as part of its sovereign land. This dispute continues to be a significant issue in relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Ukraine's refusal to acknowledge Kosovo's independence stems from its own diplomatic position on territorial integrity; however, some Ukrainian officials have publicly urged Zelensky to make an exception for Kosovo.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
