Blinken meets with the visiting Albanian Prime Minister to discuss the Ukraine problem

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday to discuss shared interests, including worries over the Ukraine crisis, according to State Department spokeswoman Ned Price.

Earlier in the day, President Joe Biden remarked at a news conference that it would be “wonderful” if rumours of Russia withdrawing soldiers from the Ukraine border were true. He stated that the US is willing to engage in diplomacy with Russia, but that an invasion is still a possibility.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Washington, DC with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama”, Price said in a news release on Tuesday. “The Secretary emphasised our strong collaboration at NATO and on the UN Security Council, and praised Prime Minister Rama for Albania’s unequivocal support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression”, Price added.

Blinken also reaffirmed the US support for Albania’s EU entry and regional economic cooperation, but he emphasised the need of reform measures to tackle corruption in the nation, according to Price.

The United States and its European partners have become concerned in recent months over Russia’s military operations near the Ukrainian border in suspected preparation for an “invasion.”

Moscow has frequently disputed the claim, insisting that it is not threatening anybody while also expressing grave worry over NATO’s military activities near Russian borders, which it regards as a danger to its national security. Moscow has also stated that it has the authority to transfer soldiers within its own borders.