Following Russia’s claims about Balkan mercenaries in Ukraine, Exit contacted the Russian Embassy in Tirana to ask for clarification on where this so-called intelligence claims came from. The Embassy responded by directing to a statement published on TASS, a state-linked news agency.
The governments of Western Balkan countries were united in their denial of the claims.
In Kosovo, Blerim Vela, the president’s chief of staff blasted the claims as “fake news” and said they are part of a parcel of disinformation that seeks to justify military action against Ukraine.
Pandeli Majko, former Albanian prime minister said the comments were “unprecedented”.
In Bosnia, the security ministry denied the claims and said that according to their data, no citizens have travelled to Ukraine to fight.
Over the weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made extraordinary and unsubstantiated claims that citizens from Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina had travelled to Ukraine to fight against Russia.
A Russian security envoy is set to visit the Balkans following the claims made by Lavrov.
Meanwhile, at a meeting of the UN Security Council, Albania representative Ambassador Ferit Hoxha said, “Let me reiterate our firm position in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. We demand the removal of the occupying troops from the occupied territory. We firmly condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and its military support to the separatist’s forces in the country.”
