Russian ‘threat’ letter gets unwavering pro-Ukraine response in NATO member Albania
Story Highlights
- Albanian domestic politics united in pro-NATO, pro-Ukrainian stance
- EU preparing unified response, von der Leyen says
- NATO says open-door policy is out of discussion
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TIRANA, Feb. 4 - Albania has officially received from the Russian embassy the letter sent to all European countries, in which Russia seeks “immediate clarification” on the stance on Ukraine and the “security guarantees” that Moscow demands.
The letter, which is publicly available on the Russian foreign ministry’s website, is addressed to all NATO and several other European countries, which, according to the Russians, should give their individual positions on security issues related to Russia.
Signed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the letter expresses Russia’s “serious concerns” on growing military-political tensions along its western borders. The minister points to Russia’s proposals for security architecture in Europe, previously sent to NATO and the United States.
“The U.S. and NATO responses to our proposals received on 26 January 2022 demonstrate serious differences in the understanding of the principle of equal and indivisible security that is fundamental to the entire European security architecture,” Lavrov writes in the letter.
He adds: “We believe it is necessary to immediately clarify this issue, as it will determine the prospects for future dialogue.”
Domestic politics weigh in
Prime Minister Rama has yet to make an official statement on the letter, but Albania’s stance is in line with those of NATO, which Albania joined in 2009, the United States and the European Union.
President Ilir Meta on Friday had a meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Volodymyr Shkurov, where he expressed Albania’s full support for Ukraine.
“We discussed our shared concern about the threat of a potential Russian aggression against friendly Ukraine, in flagrant violation of international law,” Meta said in a statement. “I confirmed that Albania, as a NATO member country and non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is on Ukraine's side in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
There is a unified front on the matter in Albania, with domestic discussion primarily being how strong of an anti-Russian response Albania should have.
The letter caused some commotion in the Albanian parliament on Thursday, for example, with Sali Berisha, the former prime minister, calling it a “threat to every Albanian” and accusing the government of being too soft on Russia due to its friendly relations with Serbia. Berisha had also earlier called for the Albanian government to do more to help Ukraine.
European Union preparing united response
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Helsinki Thursday that the 27-nation bloc was planning a unified response to letters Russia sent about its demand for security guarantees.
"We are united in the European Union and therefore it is clear that the response will mirror, will reflect that unity," she said.
U.S., NATO offered disarmament, trust-building measures - EU press
The United States and NATO offered Russia negotiations on disarmament agreements and trust-building measures in different forums in order to start off a deescalation of the Russian military threat to Ukraine, El Pais, reports based on leaked reports the Spanish newspaper says it obtained.
But the Western allies rejected Russia’s demand of signing a bilateral agreement on security in Europe with Russia which would close the door on the future incorporation of Ukraine into NATO, Russia’s chief demand to put an end to the crisis in Ukraine.
“Considering the substantial, unprovoked, unjustified, and ongoing Russian military build-up in and around Ukraine and in Belarus, we call on Russia to immediately de-escalate the situation in a verifiable, timely, and lasting manner,” the NATO letter states.
The texts in the nonpublic diplomatic letters capture to a large extent – albeit in a much more detailed form – the messages that the Western leaders have conveyed in public to the Kremlin, El pais reported.
NATO says open-door policy is out of discussion
From the beginning, the document from Washington makes clear that it “continues to firmly support NATO’s Open Door Policy,” and so does not exclude the future incorporation of Ukraine or Georgia into the Alliance.
And it clarifies that whatever the case this issue should be dealt with at the NATO-Russia Council (NRC). The NATO text also reinforces its open-door policy and underlines the right of all states to choose their agreements in terms of security “free from outside interference.”
