Rama Responds to Zelensky’s Position on Kosovo: Support for Ukraine Is Not Conditional

Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine will not recognize Kosovo, Prime Minister Edi Rama posted a response on X. He argued that Kyiv’s position on Kosovo should not affect Albania’s support for the Ukrainian people.

According to Rama, support for Ukraine cannot be made conditional on its political stance regarding Kosovo. The prime minister stressed that Albania must continue to stand for freedom, democracy and peace.

In his full post, Rama wrote that his dear friend, Volodymyr Zelensky, had stated during his stay in Belgrade that Ukraine had not changed its position and would not recognize Kosovo.

He said that, within less than an hour, the loudest folkloric nationalists in Tirana and Pristina had begun making geopolitical calculations, suggesting that Ukraine should perhaps be punished, that its freedom should no longer be cheered and that the people being bombed should no longer be mourned. According to the prime minister, the most reckless among them even attacked Albania for not abandoning Ukraine, while some went so far as to cheer for Russia.

Rama called it shameful to lose sight of the simple truth that freedom is not transactional.

He stressed that opposing a war of aggression and supporting a just peace are not an invoice that can be torn up as soon as the victim of barbaric aggression causes disappointment. According to him, this is not a favor exchanged for another favor, but is about who you are and the principles you stand for in this troubled world.

The prime minister added that, fortunately, Albania does not behave like a petty person calculating who owes what to whom. He described the country as the Europe of the Balkans, leading through its belief in freedom, democracy and peace, as well as through the power of its own example.

Rama acknowledged that Ukraine may be wrong about Kosovo and that, yes, it is wrong. However, he stressed that its right to be free remains indisputable and that the fight for that right is also a fight for Europe and for ourselves.

According to him, these two truths can coexist perfectly well in the same sentence. Rama said Albania is mature enough to accept and defend both.

In conclusion, the prime minister reaffirmed his position: “FREE UKRAINE. Today, tomorrow and always.”