Following Zelensky’s stance on Kosovo, Pristina removes flag bearing the words “Free Ukraine

The Municipality of Pristina has removed the flag bearing the words “Free Ukraine” from the center of the capital, following a statement made a day earlier by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky against Kosovo’s independence.

The flag had been put up after the outbreak of the war as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine.

Pristina Mayor Përparim Rama responded in a social media post, stating: “The state of Kosovo must be respected. When Kosovo is not respected, the capital, Pristina, always responds in the same way.”

According to Rama, the people of Kosovo always show solidarity with peoples facing violence, war and persecution because “we know what it means to fight for freedom, dignity and the right to exist as a state.”

“But no cause and no policy can be built by belittling Kosovo’s statehood and the sacrifice of its people,” he added.

During his first official visit to Belgrade, Zelensky stated that Ukraine had not changed its position of not recognizing Kosovo. He also said that his country respects Serbia’s territorial integrity and international law.

The Ukrainian president said that Ukraine is grateful to Serbia for respecting its territorial integrity, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

Although Kyiv does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, Pristina has aligned itself with European Union and United States sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. Kosovo has also provided refuge to Ukrainian journalists who fled their country because of the war.