REAL POLITIK NO. 107
16 – 30 JUNE 2026
“ Flash” Comments on 4 major diplomatic events with only 1.000 words by the well-known analist, Grand Master in Diplomacy,
Dr. Jorgji KOTE
1.Peace with war diplomacy! The EU institutions and Member States are engaged in debates and discussions on possible peace talks with Russia. This follows the l US retreat from the peace process, some substantial progress from Ukraine in the frontline and EU increased defence capacities. However, this proposal is facing reservations and objections. Even the latest EU Summit in Brussels on 14 – 15 June failed to reach the necessary consensus. Moreover, sharp critical remarks were made on unauthorized demarshes by the President of the EU Council, Antonio Costa on the reestablishment of diplomatic contacts with Moscow.
This idea is fostered by the losses and defeats of Russian army in recent months. Thus, from 13 km previously, now it advances only with 2,5 km daily.
Meanwhile, the Russian war economy from the predicted 1,3 per cent grew only 0,4 per cent in 2025. While the war budget deficit went up to nearly 120 Billion Dollars.
The opposite is occurring in Ukraine which is marking substantial progress, especially with its successful drone attacks deep in the Russian territory, destroying major oil refineries and military strategic facilities, producing fear and uncertainty in Saint Petersburg, Moscow and lattely in Crimea.
Given the above-mentioned, the European interest for peace talks with Russia is understandable.
However, this requires prudence and avoiding expectations beyond geopolitical realities. In fact, these diplomatic demarshes may take place only when the proper moment comes i.e. when Russia suffers other serious defeats in the frontlines; so that in the peace negotiations, it would be Ukraine and Europe to dictate their conditions and not Moscow!
But this is far from being the case; despite its losses, Russia holds still the warfare initiative. It is also hardening its attitudes, bombarding heavily Ukainian twowns and even Kyev; likewise, it is provoking different NATO states and especially the Balltics; with a view to measure NATO-s pulse concerning its possible application of Article 5 on collective security.
Accordingly, the major issue now is not the procedures to make Russia join the diplomatic table but what could be done through “ war diplomacy” to protect Ukraine so that it wins over Russia! Moreover, when genuine and lasting peace with Russia is practically impossible. Besides, the unnegotiable condition for peace is that Russia should stop the agression and provide the necessary assurances not to repeat it. Which means no Peace with many “ NOTs” for Ukraine – NOT in NATO, NOT in the 2014 borders, NOT with army, NOT with Donetsk” and others NOTS. Otherwise, as the ukrainian Peace Noble winner Oleksandra Matviichuk says “ this would not be peace but a new occupation”
2. The Protest, image and tourism! There is much talk that the immense Protest in Tirana would spoil Albania’s image and deter foreign tourists from coming to Albania! Nonsense! The opposite is happening. For the Protest is the most peaceful in the world, without a single incident, with women, children, and elderly alongside the youth and students; it continues for more than a month with a profound European spirit. With an exceptional coverage by the major world media networks. It is also a wonderful manifestation of our best human values. This is why it has considerably improved our international image, unlike the previous crises in 1996,1997, 1998 and the tragic protest on 21 January 2011. It shows that Albania is saying STOP to crime and galloping corruption, bad governance and maltreatment of precious natural assets and attractions and promoting the best western values.
Instead, this Protest has also become a tourist attraction. Once foreign visitors arrive in Tirana, the first question they ask is the protest location and they rush to go and speak there with their slogans “ I am no scared”. This is the new Protest tourism with our country’s wonderful image. Certainly, our image and tourism is damaged by weak services, high tariffs, incidents, noise, garbages, the the sewege, and and…others.
3. Why this silence from the EU Commission and Council? It is indeed surprising that after a month of large protests in Tirana and by Albanian diaspora worldwide, the EU Commisison and Council in Brussels as well as in all 27 Member States have not expressed their opinion yet. Not a single word nor a statement from them. While understanding the time needed to think it over but also their ties with the government, especially the glamour and fireworks in its favour during all these years, as allegedly a front line pattern, yet, nothing and no diplomatic code on earth could prevent them from issuing a simple statement; greeting the protest, its peaceful and civil nature and inviting the parties in a dialogue. This indifferent attitude serves neither the domestic stability nor democracy. Caution, for the EU should be in good terms not only with the government but above all with democracy and the entire society in Albania.
The good news is the presence of 8 Europarliamentarians in the Protest on 27 and 29 June, including the Vice President of EU Parliament, their supportive speeches and peaceful march with protestors in Tirana. We hope that this would cool down the minds of EU Commission&Council and the European chancellaries to react before they leave for summer vacations.
4. A deal or a pause? On 17 June it was signed the Peace Memorandum of Understanding with Iran. President Trump needed it terribly, for the November mid-term elections are edging closer, discontent against him is growing, petrol prices and inflation are increasing and so on. Iran did also want it to recover himself. Nevertheless, The USA have attained only half of one of his political and military objectives, i.e. the killing of over 400 senior political and army leaders, including Khamanei. But they failed in all other well-known targets, especially with the confiscation of enriched uranium, destruction of the military air and marine fleet, half of which is functional together with the missile bases. Under these hard circumstances it has started the most difficult part of the job to turn this Memorandum into a true peace deal; The beginning does not bode well; the Memorandum continues right now to be violated by both parties, which shows that it has produced a deal but not peace; finally, we hope that it should not be simply a pause between two wars.
© 2026 Argumentum
