Pristina, August 10 – The Ukrainian national flag bearing the inscription “Free Ukraine” was removed on Sunday from a multi-storey building near “Zahir Pajaziti” Square, after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Ukraine had not changed its position towards Kosovo.
Kyiv continues to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and does not recognise Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, reports the correspondent of the Swiss newspaper LeCanton27.ch from Pristina.
Kosovo: “Zelensky, fuck you!”
Zelenskyy’s statements in Belgrade have angered Albanians in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. In addition to reactions and public debates, protests were also held in Tirana and Pristina under the slogan “Zelensky, fuck you!”
Serbia supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, but it is one of the few European countries that did not join Western sanctions against Russia following its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Although Kyiv does not recognise Kosovo’s independence, declared in 2008, Kosovo has joined European Union and United States sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. Pristina has also provided shelter to Ukrainian journalists who were forced to leave their country because of the war.
Despite Zelenskyy’s position on Kosovo, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, in an interview with the Swiss Albanian-language newspaper Le Canton 27, praised the solidarity shown by Albanians and Kosovo towards the Ukrainian people.
Meanwhile, Vučić said that he had discussed military cooperation with the Ukrainian leader, whose country has been facing the invasion launched by Russia in February 2022.
Vučić also said that Serbia would continue to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Kosovo provided accommodation for up to six months to 20 Ukrainian journalists who were forced to leave their country following the Russian invasion, according to a government document seen by Reuters.
The government initially allocated €150,000 to cover their living expenses, salaries and office costs for a period of up to six months, allowing them to continue working remotely.