{
  "id": 394084,
  "title": "Zelenskyy’s Kosovo comments in Belgrade prompt flag removal in Prishtina",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/zelenskyys-kosovo-comments-in-belgrade-prompt-flag-removal-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T17:19:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/08/09/zelenskyys-kosovo-comments-in-belgrade-prompt-flag-removal-in-prishtina/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nDuring 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.",
  "summary": "Mayor Përparim Rama said Kyiv's unchanged position on Kosovo's unilateral independence declaration prompted the flag's removal from a central Prishtina building.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mayor Përparim Rama removes flag from central building in Prishtina",
    "Zelenskyy refuses to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence",
    "Serbian President Vučić backs Ukraine's territorial integrity, including Crimea"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "'Kosovo must be respected' — Ukrainian flag stripped from Kosovo building after Zelensky's Serbia visit inflames controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/kosovo-must-be-respected-ukrainian-flag-stripped-from-kosovo-building",
        "published": "2026-08-09T17:56:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}