The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, said on Wednesday that his country will support Ukraine as much as needed.

He made these statements at a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, after a summit held for Ukraine in Tirana.

During the summit, issues of security and support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, which began in February 2022, were discussed.

“We have made it very clear; I am proud to say that it is not only the Government, Parliament, and institutions, but the entire nation, the entire population of our country stands with Ukraine and supports Ukraine, without any hesitation,” said Rama.

For Rama, the war in Ukraine is not just an existential threat to Ukraine, “but to everything we think should be our future”.

He acknowledged Ukraine’s need for support from the wealthier countries in the democratic community to resist Russian aggression.

Rama called on the West to send weapons to Ukraine, as only then could the other side be defeated, referring to Russia.

“We do not stop the war by disarming the victim. Therefore, I must tell everyone that Ukraine deserves to be supported and helped in every way, to resist and to ensure that any peace resulting from this war is a just peace.”

Currently, in the United States, a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine has been blocked, as Republicans in Congress refuse to give the green light, arguing that stricter measures are needed for migration to the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during the conference that everything possible must be done to ensure there are no delays in securing weapons.

“The more [Russian President, Vladimir] Putin sees shortages, he will think he can penetrate into Europe and the West. This is a very dangerous situation,” he said.

The Ukrainian president said more self-confidence is needed in the democratic world and that unity is crucial.

Asked what advice he would give to Western Balkan countries, Zelensky said the Balkan states should unite, and the February 28 summit was an example of this.

“Russia will do everything to destabilize the situation,” he said, referring to the region.

“Russia will not stop. Russia draws conclusions from the mistakes it has made in Ukrainian territory and will further destabilize, will use other tactics,” Zelensky said, among other things.

Rama acknowledged that there is a clear risk to the Balkans due to Russian aggression.

For this reason, he ordered an analysis of what is happening in Ukraine, as the same could be repeated in different ways, thus endangering the rules of the world order.

According to Rama, war can happen, no matter how impossible it may seem, and that “we should not play with fire”.

“If we lose this clarity, we risk entering a dark phase.”

Experts in the field of disinformation and Russian hybrid activities have reiterated several times that the Balkans is a region of interest for Russia when it comes to societal divisions and advancing Russian interests.

The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a “special military operation” to militarize Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia by hitting its economy with harsh sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands of people have died, and millions of others have been displaced from their homes.