Acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca has reacted to the statement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Belgrade, where he reconfirmed that Ukraine does not recognize the Republic of Kosovo.
Konjufca expressed regret for this stance, emphasizing that Kosovo, since the first day of large-scale Russian aggression, has been steadfastly on Ukraine's side.
He has mentioned Kosovo's support for Ukraine, including condemning the Russian invasion, aligning with the EU's common foreign and security policy, imposing sanctions on Russia and Belarus, providing humanitarian aid and shelter to Ukrainian journalists, and providing military assistance and training in support of Ukraine's defense.
"We did this despite Ukraine's non-recognition of our state, because solidarity with a people that defends its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity is a matter of principle," Konjufca wrote on the "X" platform.
He emphasized that the difference between Kosovo's and Serbia's stance on the war in Ukraine is also important.
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According to him, while Kosovo has imposed sanctions on Russia, Serbia has not aligned itself with the European Union sanctions imposed in response to the Russian war against Ukraine.
Konjufca has subsequently rejected any attempt to present Kosovo as a precedent for the occupation or annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia.
"Precisely for these reasons, Russia's efforts to use Kosovo as a precedent or justification for the invasion, occupation or attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory are historically and legally untrue. No such parallel exists," Konjufca further emphasized.
He said that Kosovo remains steadfast in its support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, but at the same time has rejected any presentation of the Republic of Kosovo "through the prism of Serbia's territorial integrity."
"Such a decision would strengthen precisely the principles of freedom, democracy and international law that Ukraine itself is defending today," he declared.
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A day earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Serbia and held a meeting with its President, Aleksandar Vučić. During a press conference, Zelensky stated that he has not changed his position regarding the recognition of Kosovo's statehood.
Kosovo is one of the countries that has consistently provided support to Ukraine since the war with Russia began in 2022. Kosovo agreed to host Ukrainian refugees, launched a program for Ukrainian journalists, imposed sanctions on Russia, and provided humanitarian and medical aid.
