Zelensky in Tirana, the expert on regional issues reveals details of the arrival of the Ukrainian president: He will solve the stalemate in the Balkans himself...

The American expert on regional issues, Edward Joseph, spoke about the summit that will be held tomorrow in Tirana and the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. John Hopkins University professor said that such meetings in the geopolitical context are important.

"I think that in the era in which we live, such meetings, which I know the president of Ukraine, Mr. Zelenski, will take, in the geopolitical context in which we live, even symbolic meetings are important. That's why I wouldn't diminish the importance of this meeting," he said, emphasizing that Russia in the Balkans also wants to impose itself on its neighbors.

He also added that in the Balkans, referring to Serbia, there is a country that wants to take a pro-Russian stance and this, according to him, is a problem. Joseph said that Albania faces security problems and threats, but according to him, these problems for neighboring countries are greater. The reason for this is that Albania does not have a Serbian minority.

"Unfortunately, in the Balkans, we see one country in particular that wants to take a pro-Russian stance, and this is really a problem. I hope that the presence of Mr. Zelenski in Tirana will make it clear that such a position is wrong and cannot be supported in this era. Albania faces security problems and security threats, but they are not similar to those of neighboring countries. Albania does not have a significant Serbian minority, so you cannot be under the same pressure as other countries that are constantly under threat of annexation or further minority demands. We don't even have the problem of subjugation like Serbia wants to subjugate Montenegro or like Russia wants to subjugate Ukraine. "Serbia not only will not impose sanctions on Russia, but also has close relations with Iran as this country refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence," he said.

According to the American professor, the recognition of Kosovo's independence from Ukraine would be an excellent move for the situation in the region.

"I think it would be an excellent move if the Prime Minister makes this request to President Zelenski. Because I wrote an article a year ago. In this article I explain that the recognition of Kosovo by Ukraine can provide a solution to the stalemate between Kosovo and Serbia and the problem of the Balkans caused by Serbia's denial of recognition of this country. The recognition of Kosovo by Ukraine would solve this impasse," said Joseph.

Speaking about the situation between Serbia and Kosovo, he says that he does not see progress and said that the agreement of last February is not leading to any solution. 

"Borrell has made it clear that he has spoken with Kurti and Vucic and there is no progress whatsoever. There is an agreement that they initially accepted in Brussels in February. Then there was a more detailed push in March. Next was the statute of the association for municipalities with a Serbian majority. Prime Minister Kurti says that he has accepted it and says that Vucic should sign it. In fact, Serbia has stated that it will not implement a good part of the obligations arising from this agreement. I believe that Kurt's position is reasonable. He wants President Vu?i? to sign it and that is normal. The answer is that the agreement of February last year is not leading to any solution," the American analyst emphasized.