Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a straightforward accusations claiming that mercenaries from Albania have gone to Ukraine to fight, according to “La Repubblica” on Friday. In the phone call Putin had with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, he complained that Ukraine is being helped by other countries like Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, but also jihadists with experience of military operations in Syria.
“In Ukraine we are seeing more and more mercenaries from third countries, including Albania and Croatia, militaries from Kosovo and even jihadists with experience of military operations in Syria,” Putin said in a conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz according to the above source.This is a repeated accusations by the highest Russian authorities accusing Albania of allegedly helping Ukraine with mercenaries something which has been turned down by official Tirana.Some European countries are allowing ‘volunteers’ to be part of a unit set up in Ukraine composed of foreign militaries.
Albania’s laws do not allow its militaries to be part of military forces in other countries.PM Edi Rama has said that Albanian government is helping Ukraine but he has not given details on the kind of aid provided to Ukrainian armed forces.The comment on the issue made by Putin himself is evidence of a rising hostility between Russia and Albania which has cosponsored with the US the resolution presented to the UN Security Council vetoed by the Russian permanent mission to the UN in New York.Also Albanian FM Olta Xhacka is very active in supporting Ukraine telling allies in the EU and NATO ‘to do more’ to help Kiev against Russians. /Argumentum.al
