As British Ambassador to Albania, I see daily how our partnership grows stronger in the face of shared challenges. Three years ago, Putin's barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine fundamentally altered Europe's security landscape, marking the largest military assault on our continent since World War II. He expected a swift victory. Instead, he has failed to completely occupy a single Ukrainian Province and seized no new Regional Centres.

Albania's steadfast support for Ukraine mirrors the UK's own position - not just in words, but in decisive action.

As one of the top ten global contributors to Ukraine per capita, Albania has provided crucial military support including ammunition, weapons and vehicles. It has trained Ukrainian troops here in Albania, and last week, Albanian Army trainers joined British trainers in the UK to train Ukrainians together under Operation INTERFLEX. This practical support has been matched by diplomatic leadership, with Albania serving as co-pen holder on Ukraine in the UN Security Council.

Ukraine's resistance has been extraordinary.  They have damaged roughly one-quarter of the Black Sea Fleet's major vessels, pushing Russian naval forces back over 300km from Sevastopol. These are not just military victories – they have enabled Ukraine to resume crucial maritime exports, with 80% of their agricultural exports now flowing through Black Sea ports. And meanwhile, Russia's economy struggles under sanctions, with Putin forced to rely on North Korea and Iran for military support.

The past year has seen our partnerships strengthen further. Following last year’s Albania-Ukraine Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation, Albania signed a landmark Bilateral Security Agreement with Ukraine, and then in July 2024, joined the UK-led Call to Action against Russia's Shadow Fleet, helping to restrict Putin's ability to fund his illegal war.

The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine. Our Prime Minister has made clear that we must be ready to deploy British servicemen and women if necessary to help guarantee Ukraine's security. While this is not a responsibility taken lightly, it reflects our fundamental understanding that helping to guarantee Ukraine's security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and ultimately our own country.

As we mark this grim anniversary, both the UK and Albania recognise that this is not just about Ukraine – it is about preventing Putin's violation of international law from becoming the norm. Together, we understand that Ukraine's security is inextricably linked to European security and our shared future.

*Nick Abbott, British Ambassador to Albania