REAL POLITIK NO. 94
10 – 28 SEPTEMBER 2025
Comments “ flash” on 4 major diplomatic events, only in 1.000 words by the well-known analyst, Grand Master in Diplomacy,
DR. JORGJI KOTE
1.Pump, glamour and yields! This is how may be called the latest state visit by President Trump in UK at the invitation of King Charles in UK on 17 September. Something unique in the diplomatic protocol that a Head of a State and in this case the US one makes two state visits in London witin five years. This occurred in the context of diplomatic European and British demarches to keep and lift up President Trump’s spirits with that visit. Actually, the invitation for this visit was the best introduction by PM Starmer during his meeting at the White House with President Trump a few months ago which the latter appreciated immensily. Trump’s visit in UK followed the best tradition of the British monarchy which he adores. This visit was a beautiful postcard, message and image for him in the US and in Europe. After the Summit in the White House on 18 August, this was the second major and wise move of the European diplomacy designed to keep President Trump on board concerning his commitment to Ukraine and the correction of the stance vis à vis Russia. This “ Must” was reminded to him in a simple and appreciative phrase by King Charles and the PM Starmer during their bilateral meeting. Certainly, one cannot expect miracles from Trump, but apparently the effects of that visit were also seen in Trump’s statement on 23 Septgember in New York that Ukraine can retake the occupied territories with the support of Europe and NATO, that Russia is just a paper tiger and its war is aimless!
2. An upturn or a double – folded blade?!This is the question posed everywhere after Trump’s above-mentioned statement in Nju Jork and in his meeting with the Ukrainian President Zelenski!!
However, President Putin has not taken him seriously; this is why he authorized his principal spokesman, Mr. Pescov to reply and deny Trump. Saying that Rusia is not a paper tiger but a bear and that it will continue to fight and reach its declared goals in Ukraine. This is also due to the fact that as until now, Trump denies tomorrow what he says today!
Actually, with this perhaps 180 grade upturn, Trump gains points and crafts his image abroad; meanwhile, failing to mention the US direct intervention in Ukraine, he calms down the basic roots at MAGA, which is against the US role as international police. Besides, in the context of his transactionalist doctrine, which relies on profitable trade deals, Trump believes that in this way the USA will extract huge profits through selling modern armaments to Europe and NATO states for Ukraine.
However, given the fact that European leaders have not welcomed this major turn indicates that it could as well be a double-folded blade. For, it may conceil Trump’s plan to withdraw softly and gradually from Ukraine and leave its destiny up to Europe. Many experts do share this view. They think that it is imopossible for Ukraine to retake its occupied lands without a strong support both by Europe and USA. Thus, Trump seeks to justify its strategic withdrawal from Ukraine and thus a former deal&peace- maker would become just an onlooker there.
3. The Palestinian storm in New York! As we mentioned in the previous Realpolitik «A stormy autumn” swept New York on 22 – 27 September during he 80th Sesion of the UN General Assembly. President Macron and the leaders of Canada, UK, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg and others declared their recognition of the state of Palestine. According to them, now and not later is the most proper moment to do that. This is a process with some steps that includes the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza proces, Hamas disarmament and its departure from politics, the reform of the Palestinian Authority and lasting peace. But these should all start with Palestine’s recognition. The US and Israel do categorically oppose it considering it as a reward for Hamas and presenting instead its 21 point plan for Gaza. Despite the diplomatic storm at the Glass Palace, the recognition of the state of Palestine is a far cry, not to say impossible, since the US are against it; however, it is a correct action in every viewpoint and it reflects the landsliding rallies all over the world in support of Palestine and the denounciation of the unprecedented violence in Gaza.
4. How many frequent changes on the top of our diplomacy have occurred in the last 24 years! Albania representes indeed “a sui generis” case for the large number of foreign ministers who have rotated in the 25 years. In more concrete terms, referring to the latest case, former Foreign Minister, Mr. Igli Hasani did not make even two years in his office. He is the 6th minister in succession in the last 12 years, i.e. one in every two years. When normally especially the chief diplomats stay at least 4 years and even more. The German emblematic, Genscher stayed 15 years in two different governental coalitions. His successors did also stay 7 years, since as such is the special nature of diplomacy.
After a normal situation during the years 1992 – 2002 with two ministers making their full 4 year terms, in the last 24 years we have had 15 foreign ministers, i.e. on the average one in less than two years. During the period 1997 – 2017 of my diplomatic service, I saw 11 foreign ministers changed! Together with them the cabinets, advisors, directors, papers and other changes. And, with one or two exceptions, they have been moved in the culminating point of their success.
Thus, Mr. Igli Hasani was our Ambassador in OSCE in Vienna when Albania led the OSCE in 2020; he was foreign minister when we chaired the UN Security Council, when Tirana welcomed some European and regional summits and when the negotiations for the EU membership were opened! Therefore, the critical remarks by the PM on our diplomacy that it allegedlly works with another time table, when he highly appreciated its minister, newly elected Head of the Parliamentary Foreign Committee sound strange. Because on one hand we boast of our diplomatic achievements and the ministers, but no the other hand critical remarks are launched against our diplomatic service. A genuine paradox!
© 2025 Argumentum
