Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended continued support for Ukraine despite Kyiv’s refusal to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, saying Ukraine may be “wrong” on Kosovo but its right to freedom remains beyond dispute.
Rama’s comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated during his recent visit to Belgrade that Ukraine’s position on Kosovo’s independence has not changed.
In a statement, Rama criticized calls from Albanian and Kosovo nationalists to reconsider support for Ukraine in response to Kyiv’s position on Kosovo.
“My dear friend, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stayed in Belgrade and said that Ukraine will never recognize Kosovo,” Rama wrote, referring to reactions that followed the Ukrainian president’s remarks.
He said some nationalists in Tirana and Prishtina had immediately begun making geopolitical calculations, including arguments that Albania should stop supporting Ukraine or reconsider its position toward Russia.
“What a shame to lose sight of the simple truth that freedom does not work on a return-for-favor basis,” Rama said.
The Albanian prime minister argued that support for Ukraine should not be treated as a political favor that can be withdrawn because Kyiv does not share Tirana’s position on Kosovo.
“Standing against a war of aggression and in support of a just peace is not a bill that you tear up when the victim of a barbaric aggression disappoints you,” Rama said.
He maintained that Albania’s support for Ukraine is rooted in broader principles rather than a calculation of diplomatic reciprocity.
“It is not a favor exchanged for another favor, but it is who you are and what you stand for in this confused world,” he said, adding that Albania should continue to demonstrate its commitment to freedom, democracy and peace.
Rama nevertheless acknowledged the disagreement over Kosovo, explicitly stating that Ukraine’s position is wrong from Albania’s perspective.
“Ukraine may be — and yes, it is — wrong about Kosovo, but its right to be free remains undisputable,” Rama said.
He argued that the two positions can coexist and that Albania can simultaneously defend Kosovo’s right to statehood while supporting Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
“These truths can coexist perfectly well in the same sentence. Albania is mature enough to hold both, and it will hold both,” Rama said.
The remarks underline Tirana’s continued support for Ukraine despite differences with Kyiv over Kosovo, while also rejecting calls for Albania to condition its support for Ukraine on Ukraine’s position regarding Kosovo.
Rama concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Ukraine’s cause, writing: “Freedom for Ukraine. Today, tomorrow and always.”
