Russia Urges Albania's Leadership to Stop Blaming Others for Protests

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova rejected Albanian leadership's accusations of Moscow's involvement in protests in the country, urging them not to shift blame. In a Telegram post Sunday, Zakharova told Prime Minister Edi Rama that Albanian citizens protested on their own and that he should address internal issues independently. Student protests have continued in Tirana since the week began over education policies and rising living costs. Demonstrations have spread to Durres, Shkoder, Elbasan, and Korca. Protests began in June against a tourist complex in a protected area supported by Jared Kushner, with demonstrators also demanding the prime minister's resignation.