Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was asked in an interview with the BBC how she would feel sitting next to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Peace Board.
Western countries have not responded positively to the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump to join this initiative, due to concerns over Russia’s inclusion.
Regarding Russia’s participation, Osmani engaged in several exchanges with the BBC journalist.
“Because on this Peace Board, you could be sitting next to Vladimir Putin. Would you feel comfortable with that?” the journalist asked.
“We have been trying to become members of the United Nations for so long, and Russia has blocked us because it has veto power. In this organization, Russia does not have a veto. In this organization, the Republic of Kosovo, my country, has been invited to be a founding member, an equal member state. But this is a board for peace, and President Putin is waging a war in a European country. All the countries criticizing this are sitting right next to Putin at the United Nations,” Osmani said.
“And how does that sound to you?” the journalist followed up.
Osmani said that other countries “also sit next to Russia as a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power.”
“It is worth emphasizing that even the United Kingdom sits next to Russia. Therefore, I would say it is better to be part of an international organization where Russia does not have veto power and cannot block peace in the world, than in an organization where it has blocked peace globally and caused wars and so much destruction—not only for the people of Ukraine, but also by supporting a Russian proxy here in the Western Balkans,” she added.
