Albania rejects Russian call to withdraw diplomats from Kyiv

Russian demands for the withdrawal of foreign diplomats from Kyiv have sparked a strong reaction from Albania, with Minister Ferit Hoxha stating that “threatening embassies is not diplomacy” and reaffirming that Albania will not withdraw from Kyiv and will continue its support for Ukraine.

Albania considers Russia’s notice urging diplomatic staff and foreign citizens to leave Kyiv ahead of planned attacks as “completely unacceptable,” the minister said, CE Report informs via the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania's official website.

“Threatening embassies is not diplomacy; it is intimidation. It represents another violation of international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” he added.

Hoxha further emphasized: “Albania will not withdraw. We remain in Kyiv. We stand firmly with Ukraine. And we will not be intimidated.”

He also stressed that the only way forward is to end a war that should never have started and to engage in genuine, good-faith negotiations for peace, adding that this position was clearly conveyed today to the Russian Ambassador in Tirana.

Photo: AI