Russian comedians Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, known by the pseudonyms Vovan and Lexus, claim to have pranked Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti by posing as the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, reports BV.
In the video published on their profile on the platform X, the conversation begins with congratulations on Kurti’s election victory. The Prime Minister, as heard in the recording, speaks about a “hybrid war” against his government, mentioning the opposition and certain oligarchs, including a television owner.
According to the video, whose authenticity has not been confirmed, Kurti also discusses U.S. representative Richard Grenell, accusing him of toppling his first government and now collaborating with the opposition. He states that Grenell received an honorary award from Serbia and considers it inappropriate for someone to accept such recognition from what he calls an “authoritarian state” while claiming to be neutral.
During the conversation, Kurti also mentions Grenell’s recent appointment as a director at the Kennedy Center and the fact that he is openly gay.
The Prime Minister allegedly also reveals details about Kosovo’s arms purchases from abroad and plans to build a weapons production factory.
“We are preparing for NATO and want Serbia to think twice before attacking us again. They have attacked us several times. We need to strengthen ourselves,” Kurti is heard saying.
Regarding the attack in Ibër-Lepenc, he blames Serbia and Russia.
The Prime Minister also talks about protests in Serbia against President Aleksandar Vučić and criticizes the West, the U.S., and the EU, claiming they are not providing enough support.
According to Kurti, the solution to the issue with Serbia is for Belgrade to recognize Kosovo’s independence, but he believes the West is not putting enough pressure to achieve this.
Gazeta Express contacted the spokesperson for Kosovo’s government, Përparim Kryeziu, to confirm whether the conversation was authentic, but as of the video’s publication, no response had been received.
Kuznetsov and Stolyarov have previously pranked other political leaders, including former North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, British politician Boris Johnson, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reported The Independent.
