Removal of Ukrainian flag in Pristina echoes in Kyiv media: “Kosovo must be respected

The removal of the banner from the center of Pristina, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Serbia and his statement on Kosovo, has also sparked reactions in Ukraine.

The event has been widely covered by Ukrainian media. In an article titled “Kosovo must be respected,” the Kyiv Independent reports that reactions in Kosovo after Zelensky’s first official visit to Serbia began after the president reconfirmed that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo’s independence. The well-known Ukrainian media outlet notes that this stance remains the same, despite the support given by Kosovo to Kyiv during the war against Russia.

In Belgrade, Zelensky was asked whether Serbia could continue to rely on Ukraine’s unchanged position against recognizing Kosovo’s independence. He replied that Kyiv’s policy had not changed, while mentioning respect for territorial integrity and international law. This part of his statement was also widely reported by “European Pravda” and “Ukrainska Pravda.”

Another significant detail was brought by “The New Voice of Ukraine,” according to which the banner with the inscription “Free Ukraine” had been in the center of Pristina since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, stated that “when Kosovo is not respected, the capital Pristina responds,” a message that was transmitted by several major Ukrainian media outlets. Rama also said that solidarity with peoples facing war, violence and persecution would continue, but underlined that respect must be mutual.

Kyiv Independent also reflected the stance of former Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli. Recalling Kosovo’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people, he described Zelensky’s statement as “deeply disappointing.”