Rama calls for an end to criticism of Ukraine over Zelensky’s remarks on Kosovo

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has urged his compatriots not to abandon support for Ukraine over statements made by President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Kosovo’s independence.

He wrote about this on the X network, according to Yevropeyska Pravda.

Rama condemned “nationalists in Tirana and Pristina” who began calling for an end to support for Ukraine following Zelensky’s comments on the Kosovo issue.

“The most reckless of them threw stones at us for not betraying Ukraine. Some even rooted for Russia! What a shame — to lose sight of a simple truth: freedom does not work on a cashback basis,” the prime minister wrote.

Rama recalled that Ukraine is resisting aggression and stated that Albania will not abandon its support for Kyiv because of this “mistake.”

“Standing against a war of conquest and upholding a just peace is not a receipt you can tear up when the victim of barbaric aggression disappoints you. It is not a favor for a favor, but who you are and what you stand for in this chaotic world,” he stressed.

Rama described Albania as a European country that “shows the way through its belief in freedom, democracy and peace, and through the strength of its example.” According to him, Ukraine’s position on Kosovo does not negate its right to freedom.

“Ukraine may be wrong about Kosovo — and yes, it is wrong — but its right to freedom remains indisputable, and fighting for that right means fighting for Europe and for ourselves. These truths can coexist perfectly well in a single sentence. Albania is mature enough to carry both, and it will,” the prime minister wrote.

The occasion for Rama’s statement was Zelensky’s visit to Serbia, during which the Ukrainian president declared his support for the territorial integrity of his partners, Serbia in particular, and for international law. Following that visit, the Ukrainian flag was removed from a building in Pristina as an expression of resentment over Zelensky’s words.

Albania’s Foreign Ministry also moved to defend Kosovo after Zelensky’s statements in Belgrade, but refrained from sharp criticism of Ukraine and emphasized the strategically positive significance of the visit for the entire region.