The clash between Sali Berisha and EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato has reignited a growing debate in Albania over the role of international diplomacy in domestic politics. While European ambassadors publicly defended Gonzato’s professionalism, the controversy reflects a deeper crisis of trust among Albanian citizens, many of whom increasingly perceive parts of the international community as too closely aligned with the country’s political establishment. The episode raises broader questions about neutrality, public perception and the fragile balance between diplomacy and political influence in Albania’s polarized environment.