The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, today in Kyiv awarded the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, to Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali.
Spiropali’s decoration by President Zelensky—one of Ukraine’s highest state honors—recognizes her valuable personal contribution to strengthening interstate cooperation, as well as her support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a statement, Spiropali emphasized that she accepted the honor not only on her own behalf, but on behalf of all Albanian citizens:
“Today, in Kyiv, with humility and a deep sense of gratitude, I accepted the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, awarded and presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky. I accepted this high distinction not only in my personal name, but in the name of every Albanian citizen, and in the name of the sacred human values and solidarity that Albanian women, girls, boys, and men carry in their hearts. Ukraine today is not only a battlefield of war, but also of our collective conscience. There, it will be written whether the future will be dictated by fear or by values. And today, more than ever, I am convinced that the future—as our National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti said—will not be written by the force of weapons, but by the strength of people and their values.”
In the special meeting following the award ceremony, President Zelensky highlighted the clear and principled positions of the Albanian Government and Prime Minister Edi Rama against Russia’s crimes against the Ukrainian people. He thanked Spiropali for her active contribution in support of Ukraine’s cause.
Earlier, Spiropali met with her Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, where she stated that:
“A just peace for Ukraine means security guarantees; it means prisoners returning home, war crimes being investigated and prosecuted, and the aggressor being held accountable.”
Spiropali added that Albania has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, welcomed refugees, and contributed to military support in cooperation with NATO and EU partners.
During the visit, both sides reaffirmed their shared vision of European integration as a key factor for stability, security, and prosperity in Europe.
Spiropali also expressed readiness to mutually support the European integration aspirations of Ukraine and the Republic of Albania.
