Prime Minister Edi Rama met Interior Minister Ervin Demo and senior State Police officials on Monday to address the violent protests that have rocked the capital in recent days.

During the meeting, Rama accused Russia of seeking to undermine Albania’s economic growth, discourage investment and obstruct its EU integration. He said Moscow does not want Albania to prosper, strengthen its economy or join the European Union.

“Russia is not Albania’s ally or partner. It does not want Albania to become more stable, attract investment or build a stronger economy. Nor does it want Albania to join the European Union,” Rama said.

He also argued that Moscow opposes Albania’s European aspirations and the democratic order. Referring to remarks by an ideological mentor of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rama accused Russia of encouraging opposition to Europe’s democratic system.

Rama then turned to social media, claiming that thousands of fake accounts had posed as Albanian citizens to influence public debate. He linked this activity to what he described as a Russian campaign targeting online discussions about environmental protection.

“From the very first day the flamingos appeared, a wave of public discontent coincided with a surge in Russian influence across social media,” Rama said. He claimed that tens of thousands of fake profiles had presented themselves as Albanians defending nature.

Rama also accused Iran of mobilising thousands of additional accounts to influence the same debate.

“How can this be a coincidence? It cannot. Albania has become a target of a well-coordinated attack by a force acting blindly, which the US president has designated a terrorist organisation,” Rama said.