Zelensky went to Belgrade for Serbian shells, Politico reports, and restated that Kyiv doesn’t recognize Kosovo’s independence. In Pristina, the ‘Free Ukraine’ banner came down the next day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade on August 8. The visit, and Zelensky’s remarks about Kosovo during it, caused an uproar that is still being felt days later, Politico reported on August 12.
On August 8, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić met in Belgrade. The visit, and Zelensky's statements about Kosovo during it, sparked controversy according to Politico. This was Zelensky's first trip to Belgrade since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Serbia has a measured stance on the war, condemning it but not ending its economic ties with Russia or joining EU sanctions.
They provide humanitarian and energy aid to Ukraine while formally avoiding military aid. After the meeting, Zelensky affirmed that Kyiv does not recognize Kosovo's independence as Serbia does not recognize Russia's annexation of Ukrainian land. The next day, in Pristina, the 'Free Ukraine' banner was lowered from a building that had displayed it since 2022, as reported by Pristina Mayor Përparim Rama.
Kosovo's foreign minister, Glauk Konjufca, expressed regret over Zelensky's remarks but pledged continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty. The issue of Kosovo escalated even more after Zelensky returned to Kyiv. On August 9, Vučić indicated Serbia might consider rerouting the Ibar River, which flows through Serbian territory and supplies water to Kosovo's largest hydroelectric plant.
This move came in response to the Kosovo authorities' destruction of ethnic Serbian homes near the reservoir. Albania, a long-time supporter of Kosovo, criticized Serbia's attitude, calling it "living in a political bubble" and refusing to acknowledge that it lost control of the region long ago. Zelensky probably had to engage in this Balkan dispute to ensure a steady supply of Soviet-standard ammunition from Serbia, which Ukraine needs for its howitzers and tanks.
Serbia is the largest producer of this ammunition, though it officially does not supply it to Ukraine. In practice, Serbian ammunition worth 800 million euros has reached Ukraine since the war began, according to the Financial Times. Serbian officials have acknowledged that they know their weapons end up in Ukraine and have no intention of changing this practice.
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