Ukrainian parliamentary committee chairman explains why Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo

Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation in Ukraine’s parliament, says there are differing views in Ukraine on recognizing Kosovo, but that the final decision rests with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Responding to questions from the Kosovo Service of Radio Free Europe, Merezhko says the arguments against recognition are mainly linked to fears that Russia could use Kosovo as a precedent for occupying Ukrainian territories, Serbia’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and, to some extent, Serbian ammunition that ends up in Ukraine.

However, he says he is personally skeptical of these arguments and that recognizing Kosovo would not violate international law.

According to him, the issue could return to Kyiv’s political agenda after the war ends.

Merezhko is a member of the Servant of the People party, the political force associated with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

During his first official visit to Belgrade, Zelensky said that his country had not changed its position regarding the non-recognition of Kosovo, and declared that he respected Serbia’s territorial integrity and international law.

The statement prompted reactions both in Kosovo and in Ukraine.

In Kosovo, the focus has been on the fact that Pristina has supported Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion: it condemned the aggression, imposed sanctions on Russia and Belarus, provided financial assistance, offered shelter to Ukrainian journalists and provided military training.

Radio Free Europe: What, specifically, does Ukraine think it would lose by recognizing Kosovo today?

Oleksandr Merezhko: There are differing views in Ukraine on this issue, particularly among members of the Rada. However, the decision to recognize or not recognize Kosovo rests with the president. It is his prerogative.

There are several arguments against recognition. The first is that such a decision could, in some way, give an argument to Russia, which is illegally occupying Crimea and parts of other regions of Ukraine.

The second argument is that since Serbia supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, Ukraine should also support Serbia’s territorial integrity.

The third argument is linked to the fact that Serbia sells ammunition to other countries, which then ends up in Ukraine and is needed by Ukraine.

Personally, I am skeptical of each of these arguments, but that is my personal view. There are also arguments in favor of recognition. In particular, recognizing Kosovo would not constitute a violation of international law, since there is also the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on this issue.

Radio Free Europe: Is Ukraine’s position still mainly linked to Crimea and territorial integrity, or has maintaining relations with Serbia become equally important?

Oleksandr Merezhko: It is mainly linked to Crimea and territorial integrity and, perhaps, also to the issue of ammunition.

However, in my opinion, Serbia will continue selling ammunition to other countries anyway, because it benefits financially from doing so and because of the position of the European Union.

As for relations with Serbia, unfortunately, a significant portion of its population remains under the influence of Russian propaganda, which has still not been stopped in Serbia. Serbia also continues to avoid joining the EU sanctions against Russia.

The problem is that [Serbian President Aleksandar] Vučić does not intend to impose sanctions on Russia, but at the same time he needs to create the impression before the EU that he is not merely an ally of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, but also has “good relations” with Kyiv.

Radio Free Europe: What would need to change for Kyiv to reconsider the issue of recognizing Kosovo?

Oleksandr Merezhko: This issue could return to the agenda after the war ends. Much will depend on the position of the European Union and its member states. In general, political life in Ukraine is highly dynamic./RFE/RL