Zelensky flies to Albania in first go to since Russia’s invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Albania late Tuesday forward of a safety convention, his first go to to the Balkan nation since Russia‘s invasion.

In a publish on social media, Albania’s Foreign Minister Igli Hasani referred to as the Ukrainian chief’s arrival in Tirana ‘a pivotal second for fostering bilateral ties, and standing in solidarity with Ukraine in its heroic struggle towards Russia’s aggression’.

This is the primary time Zelensky has paid a go to to the Balkan nation since Russia invaded Ukraine greater than two years in the past. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Kyiv, together with then-Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, in June 2022. 

In Tirana on Wednesday, Zelensky is to fulfill with a number of leaders from throughout the area in the course of the ‘Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit’. 

Albania, a former satellite tv for pc state of the Soviet Union and now a member of NATO, has persistently backed Ukraine up on the world stage. It has been one of many few nations within the area to impose sanctions towards Russia, together with Serbia. 

This is the primary time Zelensky has paid a go to to the Balkan nation since Russia invaded Ukraine greater than two years in the past

Albania, a former satellite tv for pc state of the Soviet Union and now a member of NATO , has persistently backed Ukraine up on the world stage

Just per week after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, Albania was certainly one of 38 nations that referred to as on the International Criminal Court to investigation conflict crimes allegedly dedicated by invading troopers. 

A couple of months after that, in August 2022, Albania’s defence ministry stated that two of its troopers have been injured whereas making an attempt to cease two Russians and a Ukrainian suspected of espionage from coming into a navy plant. 

‘The officers who have been guarding the plant reacted instantly, however throughout their efforts to cease the three overseas nationals, two of our troopers have been injured,’ the ministry stated, including that the troopers have been in steady situation. 

The protection ministry stated one of many arrested, recognized solely as a Russian nationwide M.Z., 24 years previous, entered the Gramsh plant’s territory and was making an attempt to take photographs.

The ministry stated the person used a type of spray towards troopers whereas making an attempt to flee after being stopped by guards.

Two others, a Russian lady recognized as S.T., 33, and an Ukrainian man F.A., 25, have been additionally arrested within the neighborhood.

During its interval beneath Communist rule, Gramsh was used to provide the Russian sort of the AK-49 rifle.

According to the ministry’s web site, the plant now gives manufacturing providers for the protection trade. It didn’t give extra particulars.

Albania has largely stayed quiet about supplying Ukraine with arms.

During a go to to Albania earlier this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Tirana’s backing of Ukraine.

‘It was one of many first nations to ship navy assist to Ukraine within the wake of the Russian aggression – weapons, ammunition, mine resistant autos – and it is at present one of many high ten per capita when it comes to its assist for Ukraine and safety help,’ Blinken stated.

Before arriving in Tirana, the Ukrainian president touched down in Saudi Arabia, the place he sought to advertise his peace plan and talk about potential prisoner of conflict exchanges.

Saudi Arabia maintains relations with each Russia and Ukraine and has mediated between the fighters earlier than, together with a deal struck in September 2022 that noticed the discharge of greater than 200 captive Ukrainians.