TIRANA, Oct 21 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama has strongly rejected any notion of changing Europe’s borders through military aggression, reaffirming support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the face of Russian invasion.
Speaking at the Future Resilience Forum 2025 on Tuesday in London, Rama addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, warning that accepting border changes by force would undermine decades of peace and stability in Europe.
“Everyone has made it clear that Ukraine’s territorial integrity must remain untouched,” Rama stated.
He added that, although different agreements may eventually lead to peace or result in a “frozen conflict,” no solution should legitimize territorial grabs.
“If we accept changing borders through force, then we admit that everything we’ve built over the past decades can be erased – and that the world is open again for anyone to take whatever they want by force,” he said.
Rama also drew a symbolic comparison between Russia’s consistent geopolitical stance and its national anthem, noting that while lyrics have changed over time, the tune has always remained the same.
“The Russian anthem has had its lyrics rewritten several times – after Stalin, after the fall of the USSR, and under Putin – but the music has never changed. And that’s exactly how it is with Kremlin policy: the lyrics may change, but the tune remains the same,” he said.
Asked about President Vladimir Putin’s stance, Rama admitted he has never met him but suggested Russia’s obsession with NATO expansion and fear of encirclement has been skillfully used to rally domestic support.
“Putin has successfully played the card of NATO’s approach to Russia’s borders to fuel internal fear and unity. But regardless of that, the long-term damage this war is doing to Russia is immense,” Rama said.
Rama was in London attending the Berlin Process Summit, hosted this year by the United Kingdom, which brings together leaders from the Western Balkans, the EU, and international partners to advance regional cooperation and European integration.
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