Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and the leaders of the Western Balkans were in Athens yesterday in the framework of the 20th anniversary of the Balkan Summit. Prime Minister Edi Rama was absent from the Greek capital, uninvited by his counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
But the surprise visit was that of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky. He arrived in Athens early in the morning and was part of the dinner hosted by Mitsotakis, the latter promised him that his country will train Ukrainian pilots for the "F-16" planes.
Zelensky met with all the guests who were in Athens, including Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. On social networks, the Ukrainian president has shared footage from meetings with all the leaders, except for one, Albin Kurti.
An open, honest, and fruitful meeting with the President of Serbia @AVucic .
— Volodymyr Zelenskyi (@ZelenskyyUa) August 22, 2023
Good conversation on respect for the UN Charter and the inviolability of borders.
On our nations' shared future in the common European home.
On developing our relations, that is in our mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/t7d9DdUH7M
Zelensky also shook hands with the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatovic, with the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovachevski, and talked with them "head to head".
I met with @JakovMilatovic to thank Montenegro for its humanitarian, military, and political support, as well as for joining the G7 Declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyi (@ZelenskyyUa) August 22, 2023
We discussed Montenegro's support for the Peace Formula as we did for the Global Peace Summit. pic.twitter.com/6m6VH7QQaq
But with Kurt, he did not do such a thing. Zelensky shook hands with him only at one point during the dinner, and Kurti himself shared this moment on social networks.
We remind you that Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo's independence, while rumors to do so have increased even more after the invasion by Russia.
Grateful to Greece and all Greeks for their support for Ukraine ??????????????????
— Volodymyr Zelenskyi (@ZelenskyyUa) August 22, 2023
Greece will take part in training our pilots on F-16s.
Greek companies are ready to take part in transporting our grain.
I also thank Greece for supporting the Peace Formula and a just peace for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/N3QMAFbHb0