After Zelensky's statement on Kosovo, Pristina removes the Ukrainian flag

Konjufca regrets Ukraine's stance - Tirana says parallels cannot be drawn between Kosovo and Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement that Ukraine has not changed its position on non-recognition of Kosovo's independence has sparked reactions in Pristina and Tirana. The municipality of Pristina has removed the flag with the inscription "Free Ukraine", while the acting Foreign Minister, Glauk Konjufca, has expressed regret for Kiev's position, recalling Kosovo's support for Ukraine. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania has also reacted, saying that the Kosovo issue cannot be equated with Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's position during his visit to Belgrade, where he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. According to his statement, Ukraine has not changed its position on Kosovo and continues to respect Serbia's territorial integrity and international law. During the same visit, Zelensky and Vučić reportedly discussed strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. Vučić expressed support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, including the territories seized by Russia since 2014.

Pristina removes the "Free Ukraine" flag

Following the Ukrainian president's statement, the Municipality of Pristina has removed the flag with the inscription "Free Ukraine", which was placed in the center of the capital as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.
The Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, said that Kosovo continues to stand in solidarity with peoples facing war, violence and persecution, but that this cannot mean accepting positions that, according to him, violate Kosovo's statehood.

"Our empathy and solidarity will always be with the peoples facing war, violence and persecution. Because we, better than many others, know what it means to fight for freedom, dignity and the right to exist as a state," Rama said.

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"But no cause and no policy can be built by belittling the statehood of Kosovo and the sacrifice of its people," he added.

The flag was placed in Pristina after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine. It reportedly remained in the center of the capital for about four years.

Konjufca: Kosovo was on Ukraine's side

Acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca reacted to Zelensky's statement by expressing regret for Ukraine's stance. Konjufca said that Kosovo, from the first day of the large-scale Russian aggression, has been steadfastly on Ukraine's side.

According to him, Kosovo has condemned the Russian invasion, aligned itself with the European Union's common foreign and security policy, imposed sanctions on Russia and Belarus, and provided humanitarian aid and shelter to Ukrainian journalists.

Konjufca has also mentioned, as part of Kosovo's support for Ukraine, military assistance and training.

"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.

The minister also pointed out the difference, according to him, between the stance of Kosovo and Serbia towards the war in Ukraine.

“While Kosovo has imposed sanctions on Russia, Serbia has not aligned itself with the European Union sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Konjufca said. He also opposed using Kosovo as a precedent for Russia’s invasion and annexation of Ukrainian territories.

"For precisely 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," he wrote.

Konjufca said that Kosovo remains steadfast in its support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, but opposed the Republic of Kosovo being presented "through the prism of Serbia's territorial integrity."

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"Such a decision would strengthen precisely the principles of freedom, democracy and international law that Ukraine itself is defending today," he declared.

Tirana: The Kosovo issue has its own foundations

Following Zelensky's statement, Albania's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs also reacted. Tirana has reaffirmed its support for Kosovo's sovereignty and independence, rejecting any attempt to draw parallels between Kosovo and the situation in Ukraine. The Albanian reaction was made public on Sunday, a day after Zelensky's statement in Belgrade.
"The Kosovo issue stands on its historical, political and legal foundations," the Ministry's response states. According to the Albanian Ministry, the International Court of Justice, following the request of the UN General Assembly, has found in its 2010 advisory opinion that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate international law.

Tirana has said that this distinguishes the Kosovo issue from Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a completely different matter. It constitutes a grave violation of the UN Charter and international law and a flagrant violation of the rules-based international order," the Ministry's response said.

The Albanian ministry has stated that Albania stands by the territorial integrity of Ukraine, just as it stands by the sovereignty and independence of Kosovo.

In its response, the Albanian Ministry also commented on Zelensky's visit to Serbia. According to Tirana, the visit serves the interests of Ukraine, while any step that helps Serbia move away from Russia's influence and get closer to Europe is positive. "Any step that helps Serbia move further away from Russia's influence and get closer to Europe is positive," the Ministry's response states.
Tirana's stance comes at a time when Serbia continues to maintain close ties with Russia, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that Belgrade pursues an independent policy and has not imposed sanctions on Moscow.

Veterans also react

The Organization of Veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army has also reacted to Zelensky's statement. OVL-UCK has described the Ukrainian president's statement as "anti-Kosovo" and has criticized him for the position expressed in Belgrade. In its reaction to the media, the organization has asked Zelensky to take into account the history of the war in Kosovo and the international intervention of 1999.

Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo's independence and considers its issue within the framework of its position on Serbia's territorial integrity. This position was reaffirmed by Zelensky during his visit to Belgrade.

Kosovo, meanwhile, has supported Ukraine after the launch of the large-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Konjufca has mentioned as part of this support sanctions against Russia and Belarus, humanitarian aid, sheltering Ukrainian journalists, as well as military assistance and training.

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It is precisely this discrepancy that has been put at the center of Pristina's reaction: Kosovo, according to Konjufca, has supported Ukraine in protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite Kiev continuing to not recognize Kosovo's independence.

Tirana, on the other hand, has argued that these two issues cannot be placed on the same level and that Kosovo's independence and Russian aggression against Ukraine have different legal and political bases and circumstances.