Key facts
- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama urged continued support for Ukraine.
- Rama acknowledged Ukraine's stance on Kosovo as incorrect but emphasized its right to freedom.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently visited Serbia.
- During his Serbia visit, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's non-recognition of Kosovo's independence.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has called for unwavering support for Ukraine, even as Kyiv faces regional criticism for not officially recognizing Kosovo's independence. Rama stated on X that while Ukraine's position on Kosovo is incorrect, its fundamental right to freedom and self-defense remains paramount.
Rama's remarks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Serbia, where he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. This visit was significant due to Serbia's historical ties with Moscow. During the trip, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's policy of not recognizing Kosovo as an independent nation, a stance that has been met with sharp disapproval from Kosovo and Albania.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, with its sovereignty recognized by many Western nations. Serbia, however, continues to consider Kosovo an integral part of its territory. While Ukraine's refusal to recognize Kosovo is based on its principle of territorial integrity, some Ukrainian lawmakers have urged President Zelensky to reconsider this position.