TIRANA, Feb. 28 – Albania has joined EU sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine, including closing Albania's airspace to all Russian carriers and Russian-registered aircraft, the foreign minister announced Sunday evening.
"Following the measures taken at European level, the airspace of the Republic of Albania will be closed from tonight for all Russian air operators or any aircraft registered in Russia, except the cases when such flights are performed for emergency reasons, humanitarian or medical purposes or interstate needs," said Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka.
The move is the latest in a series from NATO member and EU candidate Albania to protest the war in Ukraine.
“I do believe that I express what all Albanians feel today when I say that the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people against this aggression has won the respect and admiration of all of us.” Xhacka said in her statement, “The war in Ukraine is more than just a war for the freedom of Ukraine. It is a struggle for the future of a democratic Europe, for the architecture of security and cooperation in our continent, as well as rules based international order."
The sanctions that Tirana has joined include a travel ban on EU-listed Russians as well as the freezing of assets, if there are any in Albania, in line with EU sanctions.
Only charter Russian planes currently fly to Albania, but Russia's main air carrier for leisure travel, Nordwind Airlines, had announced it was to start operating direct flights from Moscow to Tirana on April 30.
Albania is also considering canceling current facilities that make it easier for certain Russians – diplomats and businesspeople – to travel to Albania.
Xhacka said that Albania will also no longer participate in any sports matches with the Russian Federation until the end of the occupation of Ukraine.
Albania and Russia are in the same group for the League of Nations football matches and have a scheduled match in Moscow on June 2.
UEFA had previously announced that matches with Russia would be played on neutral pitches.
Xhacka added that Albania is offering its assistance to Ukraine with healthcare materials.
"Albania will continue to join every initiative and measure of our allies and partners. This is an obligation that every democratic country has today towards Ukraine and towards the societies of our peoples and the future of our children," Xhacka added.
