Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Albania for its “practical help and support” following a phone conversation with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Had a phone conversation with 🇦🇱 Prime Minister @ediramaal. Spoke about the fight against Russian invaders. Discussed joint work within 🇺🇳. We appreciate the practical help and support of Albania in this difficult time. We are doing everything to end the war. #StopRussia
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 5, 2022
The two leaders spoke on the phone on Saturday morning and Rama released a portion of their call on Facebook.
“Today I had a call from President Zelensky, who thanked me for everything Albania is doing in these tragic days for its people…starting from our role as cosignatories with the US in the Security Council, to the assistance of data on the Ukrainian army,” Rama wrote.
Albania has co-signed a resolution in the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly deploring Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
It has also imposed a number of sanctions against Russia following the European Union’s measures.
Rama’s call with Zelenskyy comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated his allegations that Kosovo and Albanian mercenaries are joining the Ukrainian army.
Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka refuted the accusations through a post on Twitter.
There are no Albanian mercenaries in
Ukraine! This is a lie that Moscow keeps repeating shamelessly! That said, Albania stands with Ukraine and will continue to work with all allies&partners to help end Russia's unprovoked agression on the people of Ukraine. God Bless them🇺🇦❤️🇦🇱— Olta Xhaçka🇦🇱 (@xhacka_olta) March 4, 2022
Russia has launched similar accusations since the start of the war, which Balkan leaders have repeatedly refuted the claims.
