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Albanian PM Urges EU Peace Plan for Ukraine, Downplays Russian Threat
Albanian PM Edi Rama says fears of a Russian attack on Europe are overblown, urging the EU to create its own peace plan for Ukraine instead of relying solely on the US.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-04
Albanian PM Urges EU Peace Plan for Ukraine, Downplays Russian Threat

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has urged the European Union to develop a concrete peace plan for Ukraine, suggesting that fears of Russia expanding its conflict into Europe are exaggerated. Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue conference late last month, Rama said it would be “completely stupid” for Russia to attack any EU or NATO member.

“Russia will not attack Albania and Russia will not attack any other European country,” Rama said. “NATO is ready for any kind of aggression. NATO has nobody and nothing to fear because it’s the strongest army in the world so far.”

Rama emphasized that while tensions remain high due to alleged Russian drone incursions over European airspace, he believes the bloc should focus on diplomacy rather than fear. “The EU is being provoked a lot by Russia,” he said. “Countries on the border with Russia are being provoked daily, but the EU must think of defending itself better.”

In recent months, countries including Poland, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Romania have accused Moscow of drone incursions, while NATO reported intercepting Russian jets near Estonia—claims denied by Russia.

Despite Albania’s strong support for EU sanctions against Moscow, Rama criticized Brussels for not having a defined roadmap for peace. “The fact that the EU does not have a peace plan looks very strange to me,” he told Al Jazeera. “The EU should think about having its own diplomacy in action to promote its own vision of peace.”

As U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, Rama argued that Europe should also “find a way to talk to the Russians” to end the war.

Albania, a NATO member since 2009 and EU candidate since 2014, has not reported any Russian drone activity. Rama asserted that his country feels little pressure from the ongoing tensions, saying, “We have no fears … there is no room for Russian hostilities in Albania because there is no sympathy for Russia.”

Meanwhile, the Western Balkans region remains under close scrutiny amid fears that instability could spill over. During an October 22 summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the region was described as “Europe’s crucible” — a key test of the continent’s security.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently praised Albania’s progress toward EU membership, saying the country is “on the right track” and has shown “stunning and outstanding acceleration since 2022.” Rama echoed her remarks, expressing optimism that the war in Ukraine has spurred greater European openness toward the Balkans.
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