'Kosovo must be respected' — Ukrainian flag stripped from Kosovo building after Zelensky's Serbia visit inflames controversy
In Serbia, Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv does not officially recognize Kosovo's independence. Officials in Kosovo said his stance was "deeply disappointing" given the country's support for Ukraine.
On 9 August, Prishtina's mayor Përparim Rama announced that the flag had been removed from a central building following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks about Kosovo during his visit to Serbia. Rama emphasized the need to respect Kosovo's statehood, stating that their compassion and solidarity would always stand with those facing war, violence, and persecution, drawing from their own experiences of fighting for freedom, dignity, and the right to exist as a state.
During their joint news conference in Belgrade on 8 August, Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's refusal to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. In contrast, Serbian President Vučić reaffirmed Serbia's backing for Ukraine's territorial integrity, including Crimea. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine's position on the Kosovo issue remained unchanged, while Vučić tied Ukraine's support for Serbia's territorial integrity to the latter's stance on Kosovo.
Both leaders expressed gratitude for their partners' respect for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including Crimea, which Serbia considers part of Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Zelenskyy’s Kosovo comments in Belgrade prompt flag removal in Prishtina euromaidanpress.com
