Rama at Ukraine Recovery summit: “Peace must be Europe’s only future”

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama used his address at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome to call on European leaders to place peace—not just war and reconstruction—at the center of their political vision. Speaking before leaders from over 90 countries, Rama urged the European community to build a bold and compelling plan for peace alongside its support for Ukraine’s recovery.
Why is this important: Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Albania has been among the most vocal and active supporters of Kyiv, including during its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2022. But alongside his firm stance against aggression, Rama has consistently warned that Europe must not lose sight of peace. Instead of focusing solely on military investments, he has repeatedly advocated for directing resources into education, knowledge, and future-building.
Context: The Ukraine Recovery Conference brought together world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, EU officials, heads of international organizations, and private sector actors. The aim: to coordinate efforts and funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction. In this high-level setting, Rama delivered a message that set him apart—not just as an ally of Ukraine, but as a voice for peace.
“We must not let the word ‘peace’ further divide our democratic societies,” Rama said. “Nor allow anyone beyond our borders to lecture the European community about what peace or war should mean. Europe is not a war-making community—and Ukraine is not the author of this brutal war at its doorstep.”
While reaffirming support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and defense, Rama warned that victory would not come through arms alone.
“Talking about peace won’t stop the war or turn Vladimir Putin into a pacifist,” he said. “But we will not be strong enough to win this war and save Ukraine without our own bold, attractive, and powerful peace plan. Peace is the only future Europe can credibly talk about.”
Rama concluded with a quote from the late Pope Francis, reminding the audience that “it is not the past we feel present, but the future.”
Albania’s role: Albania has positioned itself as a committed ally of Ukraine, most recently by organizing the Ukraine–Western Balkans Summit in 2024—a show of regional solidarity with Zelensky and his government.