President Zelenskyy’s visit to Serbia is important. Dialogue is always welcome, particularly when it creates space to address difficult questions with clarity, responsibility and a sense of history.

Just as Albania stands, and will continue to stand, firmly with Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and European future, we stand equally firmly for Kosovo’s sovereignty, independence and rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic family.

There should be no misunderstanding on this point: any attempt to draw a parallel or establish an equation between Kosovo and any other international situation is wrong, opportunistic and profoundly misleading.

Kosovo’s case stands on its own historical, political and legal foundations. At the request of the UN General Assembly, the International Court of Justice was unequivocal: Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is an entirely different matter. It constitutes a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law, and a blatant breach of the rules-based international order.

From Albania’s perspective, one principle is fundamental: a peaceful, stable and European Western Balkans requires acceptance of the reality and irreversibility of Kosovo’s independence. Kosovo independence has contributed to regional stability and is part of a future in which borders are not changed through force, and peoples and communities can determine their future in peace and security.

We firmly maintain also that Serbia and Kosovo both belong in a common European future. The normalisation of their relations, ultimately leading to mutual recognition, would not weaken Serbia. On the contrary, it would help close one of the most painful chapters of our region’s recent history and open the way to genuine reconciliation, good-neighbourly relations and lasting peace. The Western Balkans needs that positive energy today, perhaps more than ever.

President Zelenskyy’s visit to Serbia advances, first and foremost, Ukraine’s interests. This is both understandable and legitimate. Yet, every step that helps Serbia move further away from Russia’s malign influence and closer to Europe is positive. But every engagement is also an opportunity to advance a fundamental understanding: the Western Balkans must move forward, not backward.