Albania has stated it will not comply with Russia’s demand requiring the departure of foreign diplomats and citizens from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. This request follows a similar demand issued by Russia to the United States on May 25. Ferit Hoxha, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, described the Russian notice as “unacceptable.” Hoxha explicitly stated that Albania would not withdraw its diplomatic presence.
In a statement on X, he wrote, “Albania considers the Russian notice, which calls on diplomatic personnel and foreign citizens to leave Kyiv before planned attacks, as completely unacceptable. Threatening embassies is not diplomacy; it is intimidation. It represents another violation of international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Albania will not withdraw.”
The Albanian minister characterized the demand as an act of intimidation rather than diplomatic engagement. According to Hoxha, the directive constitutes another breach of international law, specifically citing violations related to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The country maintains its commitment to its diplomatic presence in Kyiv despite the pressure from Russia.
Topics: #albania #russia #kyiv
It seems more nations are refusing to back down on this issue.
What are the potential diplomatic or economic ramifications for Albania by refusing Russia’s request?