The removal of the banner from the center of Pristina, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Serbia and his statement on Kosovo, did not go unnoticed in Ukraine.
The episode has received wide coverage in Ukrainian media, starting with Kyiv Independent, which in its article titled “Kosovo Must Be Respected,” writes that the reactions in Kosovo after Zelensky’s first official visit to Serbia came after he reconfirmed that Kiev has not changed its position regarding Kosovo’s independence.
And this, the well-known Ukrainian media underlines, happened despite the support that Kosovo has given Kiev during the war against Russia.
During his visit to Belgrade, Zelensky was asked whether Serbia could continue to expect support from Ukraine’s same stance against recognizing Kosovo’s independence. His response was that Kiev’s policy had not changed, and he even referred to respecting territorial integrity and international law.
This part of Zelensky’s statement was widely reported by both “European Pravda” and “Ukrainska Pravda”.
“The New Voice of Ukraine” also brings a significant detail, emphasizing that the banner with the inscription “Free Ukraine” had stood in the center of Pristina since the beginning of the full Russian occupation of Ukraine. It was the mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, who stated that “when Kosovo is not respected, the capital Pristina responds”, was his message, broadcast by some of the main Ukrainian media. Rama emphasized at the same time that solidarity with peoples facing war, violence and persecution will continue, but added that respect must be mutual.
Kyiv Independent also reported on the reaction of former Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli, who called Zelensky’s statement “deeply disappointing”, citing Kosovo’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people./Top Channel