Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement that Ukraine still does not recognize Kosovo’s independence has sparked reactions in Pristina. Discontent peaked with the removal of the “Freedom for Ukraine” flag, which had been displayed on the Hotel Grand building in central Pristina since the beginning of Russia’s aggression. Kosovo’s reaction was linked to the opposition Pristina has expressed to Russia’s invasion and the support it has provided to Ukraine during the war.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Albania has responded to the latest developments in relations between Pristina and Kyiv.

The Ukrainian diplomatic mission clarified that Zelenskyy’s statement during his visit to Belgrade did not represent a change in Kyiv’s policy toward Kosovo. According to the embassy, the Ukrainian president was merely responding to a Serbian journalist’s question about the recognition of Kosovo.

“The Embassy of Ukraine wishes to emphasize that during his recent visit to Serbia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not declare any change in Ukraine’s position toward Kosovo. He simply responded to a journalist’s question about whether Ukraine supports or opposes the recognition of Kosovo. The President’s answer was fully consistent with Ukraine’s unchanged position on this issue,” the Embassy of Ukraine in Tirana said in an exclusive response to the media.

The embassy stressed that Kyiv’s non-recognition of Kosovo should in no way be seen as a lack of appreciation for Pristina’s solidarity or for the support Kosovo has provided for international measures against Russia.

“Ukraine deeply appreciates the solidarity and assistance that the people and institutions of Kosovo have offered Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression. We are sincerely grateful for Kosovo’s support for Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens. We also value Kosovo’s alignment with international sanctions against Russia, as well as its continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s position on Kosovo’s status remains unchanged, and this should not be interpreted as an underestimation of the solidarity shown by the people of Kosovo,” the embassy said.

Regarding a possible review of its position on Kosovo’s independence, the Embassy of Ukraine in Tirana said that such a decision would fall to Ukraine’s central authorities. According to the embassy, the process would be based on the national interest, the Constitution, Ukrainian legislation, international law and developments on the international stage.

“Any decision on Ukraine’s foreign policy, including the possibility of reconsidering this position, is taken by the relevant state authorities in accordance with Ukraine’s national interests, its Constitution and legislation, as well as international law, taking into account relevant international developments,” the Embassy of Ukraine in Tirana clarified.

The embassy emphasized that Ukraine would return to the issue of Kosovo after Russia’s aggression ends and the country emerges from the war.

“As has been made clear, Ukraine’s position on the political recognition of Kosovo has not changed. The issue has neither been closed nor removed from the agenda of Ukraine’s foreign policy. However, Ukraine will be able to return to this and other important international issues after emerging from the flames of the terrible war imposed by Russia. At present, the absolute priority is the protection of the people, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as ending this devastating war,” the diplomatic mission stated.

Ukrainian diplomats added that they could not give priority to this issue, as Russia has been waging its terrible war for more than four years.

“We are convinced that the people of Kosovo understand this situation particularly well, given their tragic experience of war, suffering and loss of human life,” the embassy said in its response.

The embassy also recalled several measures taken concerning the citizens of Kosovo, particularly the acceptance of Kosovo passports.

“Since March 25, 2019, Ukraine has accepted ordinary civilian passports issued by Kosovo for visa procedures. This mechanism was established to facilitate and normalize travel to Ukraine for residents of Kosovo, primarily for humanitarian reasons, without constituting de jure recognition of Kosovo by Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly clarified that such consular measures do not imply recognition of Kosovo’s international legal personality,” the Embassy of Ukraine in Tirana concluded.

At the beginning of August, following his visit to Serbia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a press conference that Kyiv’s policy of not recognizing Kosovo’s independence had not changed.

“We respect the territorial integrity of our partners and international law. As far as Kosovo is concerned, our position remains unchanged. We are grateful to Serbia for respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea,” Zelensky said.

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Gasoline production in Russia fell sharply at the end of August, reaching around 70% of domestic demand following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on energy infrastructure. The attacks hit several of the country’s major refineries, forcing some of them to temporarily suspend operations. The situation has revived concerns about fuel shortages in some regions of Russia.

According to reports from foreign media, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on facilities belonging to Russia’s oil industry as part of efforts to damage energy infrastructure and reduce Moscow’s revenues from oil exports. Gasoline shortages re-emerged in August after a temporary improvement at the end of July, when some local authorities had eased or lifted restrictions on fuel sales.

Production at the end of August returned to levels similar to those at the beginning of July, a period when Russia’s fuel crisis had reached one of its highest points. In the past week alone, drone strikes have hit several major refineries, including facilities in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl, which play an important role in gasoline production. If the disruptions continue, pressure on fuel supplies in Russia’s domestic market is expected to increase further.

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One of the main objectives of the unusual visit that CIA Director John Ratcliffe made to the Russian capital this week is believed to have been warning Moscow to avoid any kind of aggression against a NATO member state.

According to information published by the Wall Street Journal and CBS, Ratcliffe aimed to deter any Russian military initiative against the Alliance, at a time when U.S. intelligence services assess that Russia is trying to test NATO’s cohesion and resilience.

The Wall Street Journal wrote that Russian leader Vladimir Putin may be weighing the possibility of a “limited strike” against NATO in the coming years.

On the other hand, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the meeting, describing Ratcliffe’s trip as “semi-routine.” During an interview with right-wing commentator Glenn Beck, Trump clarified that the central issue of the discussion was the conflict in Ukraine.

“Our desire is for the war in Ukraine to end,” the American president stressed.

U.S. media report that during his stay in Russia, Ratcliffe also addressed tensions regarding Iran. He is said to have warned of additional sanctions if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened for free passage.

However, Trump dismissed any connection between the meeting and the Iranian issue or potential Russian threats against Atlantic Alliance countries.

“His presence there had nothing to do with either of the topics you just mentioned,” Trump replied when asked about these issues.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Ratcliffe had traveled to Moscow for negotiations between intelligence services, but stressed that there was no personal meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Peskov added that it is still too early to gauge how much impact this visit will have on the path to renewing bilateral relations between the two powers.

According to him, no new rounds of talks are on the horizon at the moment, and he described the contacts between the parties as fruitful. He declined to provide details on the specific topics that were addressed.

Ratcliffe’s last recorded visit to Russia occurred in November 2021, just months before Moscow launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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On the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day, the acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti today received Ukrainian journalists staying in Kosovo.

In her address, Haxhiu said that some of the Ukrainian journalists had considered Kosovo a temporary home during the difficult years of war.

“From Kosovo, you have continued to write, report, speak and work for your country. It is a pleasure that you are here with us today, as your presence gives this day a special meaning,” acting President Haxhiu stated.

She said that although Kosovo’s history is not the same as Ukraine’s, the country’s experience has enabled Kosovars to deeply understand the human cost of war.

“We know what it means to leave home without knowing when you will return. We know the importance of support from others at the moments when you need it most, and we know that freedom, when threatened, must be defended with everything we have,” she stressed.

According to Haxhiu, the resistance shown by Ukraine during these years constitutes an extraordinary example of resilience.

“Ukrainians have continued to defend their country, their communities and their way of life, despite the extraordinary pressure. They have kept institutions, cities and schools functioning, keeping the truth alive even as the war continues. This determination is deeply respected by the Republic of Kosovo,” the acting President said.

Haxhiu underlined that Kosovo has stood alongside Ukraine since the first days of the Russian invasion, due to its belief in the right of the Ukrainian people to decide their own future, defend their territory and live freely.

She also mentioned the concrete measures taken by Kosovo, including the imposition of sanctions against Russia immediately after the start of Russian aggression, further alignment with European and transatlantic partners, hosting Ukrainian journalists, the temporary suspension of the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens, and preparations to receive people forced to leave their homes because of the war.

According to her, support has also been provided in the field of defence. Kosovo is part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, while members of the Kosovo Security Force have taken part in training Ukrainian soldiers, including Operation Interflex. Kosovo has also provided two military aid packages, containing 30 military vehicles and 10,000 mortar shells.

Haxhiu said that the stay of Ukrainian journalists in Kosovo is of particular importance, as during the Kosovo war it became clear how essential it is to document events and inform the world about what is happening.

“For this reason, providing a safe place where journalists can continue their work has meant much more to us than simply providing shelter,” she said.

The acting President of Kosovo stated that the country wants peace for Ukraine, but a peace that guarantees its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to her, this must be a peace in which Ukrainians decide their own future and rebuild their country in freedom.

“Kosovo will continue to stand alongside Ukraine. I sincerely hope that the ties created between people during these difficult years will, over time, turn into even closer relations between our two countries. Happy Independence Day to Ukraine and all Ukrainians!” Haxhiu concluded.

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Russia is expected to begin producing offensive floating platforms to protect St. Petersburg from Ukrainian naval and aerial drones, the governor of the Leningrad region said on August 18.

“We expect to identify by October the models that we can then purchase to protect the borders of the Leningrad region,” Aleksandr Drozdenko said in a Telegram post, which also showed diagrams of a floating observation post called PLOT-40. “Plot” means raft in Albanian.

Images of the armed raft first emerged in late July, when a prototype was presented at a port in Vyborg.

“After analyzing the enemy’s attacks, it became clear that it was important to strengthen protection from the water,” Drozdenko said at the time. The unusual vessel “is designed to protect naval bases, port infrastructure, and fuel and energy facilities from modern threats, including unmanned vessels and unmanned aerial vehicles,” the governor said.

Scott Savitz, a senior engineer at RAND, a nonprofit research organization based in the United States, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the effectiveness of the rafts would depend on several factors, including the speed and accuracy with which they could identify and strike approaching drones, as well as “the vulnerability of the floating platforms themselves to attack.”

The hatches visible on the prototype version do not appear to be heavily armored.

The vessels are equipped with either an automatic cannon or a remotely operated machine gun, fitted with a set of electro-optical sensors. The raft prototype, photographed near Vyborg, has five small hatches around the upper part of the craft’s hull, which could be used as firing positions for soldiers, as well as a larger personnel access hatch, although it is unclear whether the vessels are designed to have crews.

A small platform around the raft’s hull would enable soldiers to use shoulder-fired missiles when sea conditions are calm.

Savitz pointed out that remotely operated vessels do not necessarily reduce the number of military personnel required to operate them. If the PLOT-40 is uncrewed, he said, its only advantage would be reducing the risk to soldiers.

“Personnel aboard a platform can provide a level of situational awareness and adaptability that is usually greater than that of someone observing and controlling them remotely,” Savitz said, adding that “an uncrewed platform may require just as many people to operate, and sometimes even more, than a crewed platform,” because of the need for control, maintenance, and resupply.

“In the context of port defense, the main advantage of having no crew on board is that attacks on the platforms would not harm people. Some countries are more concerned about this than others,” he said.

The port-defense expert added that “placing personnel on these platforms for 12-hour shifts does not require many accommodations for their stay.”

The Russian Plot-40 project is reminiscent in function, if not in form, of the Maunsell forts, which were installed at sea several kilometers off the British coast during World War II.

Unlike the Russian floating raft, the British radar and gun installations were fixed to the seabed, but they had the same purpose: to engage enemy aircraft and vessels before they came within range of batteries located on land.

According to reports, the crews of the British forts shot down dozens of Nazi aircraft and V-1 bombs, while a German warship was sunk.

The main advantage of the Russian rafts over a conventional vessel would be their greater stability at sea, Savitz said. “These platforms may be able to carry more and larger weapons than a small vessel and could provide greater stability to enable accurate attacks.”

He added that “the extraordinary innovation that the Ukrainians have repeatedly demonstrated” means that deploying rafts on a large scale would not “eliminate the Ukrainians’ ability to strike Russian ports.”

Given the “chaotic gunfire and missile fire” seen around Russian ports during Ukrainian drone attacks, the rafts would likely be anchored offshore to minimize the risk of fire from Russian forces themselves./RFE/RL

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of strong retaliation against Russia following an overnight attack in the Kharkiv region that left ten dead and many wounded.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s military response is inevitable and that this must be absolutely clear to Moscow. He added that beyond this, it is essential for Western allies to support these just countermeasures by increasing pressure on Russia and continuing aid to Kyiv.

According to him, emergency forces arrived immediately at the scene and managed to extinguish the flames, while search and rescue teams continue their work to find possible survivors and to fully clarify the dynamics of the strike. The target of the attack appears to have been Pechenihy, a locality in the Kharkiv area. Ukrainian authorities report that residential buildings and commercial facilities have been severely damaged.

Meanwhile, on the diplomatic and military front, the United States has finalized a major contract with the company Raytheon. The deal, with a seven-year term and a value of 22.9 billion dollars, aims to drastically increase the manufacturing of Tomahawk missiles. According to information from Reuters, this plan will enable a massive leap in production, moving from about 60 missiles per year to over 1,000. President Zelensky had previously asked the Americans for these missiles and had floated the idea of a strategic exchange, where Ukraine would offer its domestically produced drones in return for powerful American weapons systems.

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Andi Hadroj është tashmë i disponueshëm si lojtar i lirë në merkaton e transferimeve, pasi mbrojtësi 27-vjeçar dhe Polissya Zhytomyr kanë vendosur të ndërpresin bashkëpunimin.

Anësori i Kombëtares shqiptare nuk po aktivizohej me skuadrën ukrainase dhe ishte dërguar në ekipin B. Për këtë arsye, ai zgjodhi të shkëpuste kontratën që kishte afat deri në verën e vitit 2027.

Situata e krijuar e kthen 27-vjeçarin në një mundësi për klubet e Superiores. Hadroj ka spikatur në futbollin shqiptar si mbrojtës i djathtë me Partizanin, ndërsa më herët ka luajtur edhe për Bylisin dhe Laçin.

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Relations between Ukraine and Serbia are not strategic in nature, but the reciprocal interests that have brought them together are also influencing Kyiv’s approach to the issue of Kosovo’s independence, according to experts consulted by Radio Free Europe.

The issue came to the fore after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s first official visit to the Serbian capital, where he stressed that he respects the territorial sovereignty of partners and that Ukraine’s position on Kosovo’s declaration of independence “has not changed.”

Kateryna Shymkevych, a specialist at the Ukraine-based Analytical Center for Balkan Studies, believes that Kyiv regards cooperation with Belgrade as beneficial for securing ammunition, maintaining relations with Brussels and efforts to draw Serbia, however slightly, toward the West.

She adds that Serbia, for its part, wants closer ties with Germany and France and sees Ukraine as a gateway to the EU, while Ukraine has concrete arms needs and wants to maintain a channel of dialogue with a state that has traditionally been loyal to Russia.

“Ukraine knows very well that Serbia is a pro-Russian country, but telling the EU that you will not cooperate with Serbia is not a realistic solution,” Shymkevych told Radio Free Europe.

Yevhen Mahda, executive director of the Institute for World Politics in Kyiv, takes a similar view.

He notes that Ukraine and Serbia cannot be described as strategic allies, suggesting that it was Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq who benefited most from Zelensky’s visit.

Nevertheless, Mahda does not rule out the possibility that Ukraine also gained from the relationship.

“In short, [Ukraine has received] ammunition supplies and the possibility that Serbia could serve as a bridge for talks with Russia,” he told RFE.

The issue of Kosovo is also part of this mosaic of interests, with Ukraine’s non-recognition of Kosovo becoming a subject of discussion during Zelensky’s stay in Belgrade.

What is holding Ukraine back from recognizing Kosovo?

Kyiv justifies its non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence by invoking the principle of territorial integrity under international law and fears that recognizing Kosovo could be instrumentalized by Russia in relation to the Ukrainian territories it has occupied.

However, official Pristina responds that this comparison does not stand: in 2010, the International Court of Justice ruled that Kosovo’s declaration of independence was in accordance with international norms.

In a study published this week by the Kosovo Centre for Security Studies, analyst Ramadan Ilazi notes that Kosovo and the Ukrainian areas occupied by Russia are entirely different cases and that Ukraine has no reason to invent artificial comparisons between them.

He explains that the state of Kosovo was created after years of repression, armed conflict, NATO’s humanitarian intervention and a broad international process to determine its status. Crimea, by contrast, was seized and annexed through Russian military aggression.

Gëzim Visoka, a lecturer in peace and conflict studies at the University of Dublin, also focuses his criticism precisely on this fundamental distinction.

He stresses that “there is no parallel whatsoever between Kosovo and the Ukrainian territories under occupation” and that Ukraine would be better off recognizing Kosovo rather than giving the Kremlin an opportunity to justify the occupation of its territories.

“In these circumstances, I believe Ukraine’s futile and decidedly unfriendly objection to Kosovo’s independence not only legitimizes Serbia’s obstructive position, but also gives an additional pretext to the five EU members that continue to withhold recognition from Kosovo,” he told Radio Free Europe.

Glauk Konjufca, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, reinforced the same position, stating that the Kosovar state was born from the people’s liberation war after “many years of systematic oppression and a genocidal campaign by the Milošević regime.”

“What followed was not occupation, annexation or violent conquest, but a process of international supervision under the aegis of the UN and diplomatic mediation to resolve the final status,” Konjufca said a few days ago.

Continuing his analysis, Visoka adds that Pristina has done enough for Ukraine for Kyiv to have every reason to reconsider recognition, although he notes that such a decision could depend on the outcome of the conflict and the country’s future strategic course.

“Kosovo’s disappointment and reaction following Zelensky’s statement in Belgrade are restrained and understandable. Unconditional support for Ukraine has a limit, and it appears that Kosovo may have already reached that threshold,” Visoka concludes.

Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression, Kosovo has firmly stood by Ukraine, joining international sanctions, providing aid and hospitality to Ukrainian refugees, and offering continued political support.

But Kateryna Shymkevych of the Analytical Center for Balkan Studies sees the other side of the coin and considers the reaction to Zelensky’s words “exaggerated.”

“The Ukrainian leadership has made no promise whatsoever to recognize Kosovo. It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but this is the reality,” she told Radio Free Europe.

Shymkevych explains that Ukraine’s concern is not only related to Serbia, but also to the fact that Russia constantly uses the Kosovo case as a precedent. According to her, Moscow has referred to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Kosovo to support its own claims regarding Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. The latter two regions, located in eastern Ukraine, have been declared annexed by Russia but are universally recognized as Ukrainian territory.

Kyiv therefore faces a genuine dilemma: recognizing Kosovo might not have any visible consequences for its relations with the majority, but it would provide Moscow with another weapon in its propaganda war.

“This risks bringing even deeper chaos to the international arena, with consequences including civil wars, further erosion or even the complete collapse of the fundamental principles of international law,” she warns.

Meanwhile, Mahda cites as the only possible consequence a deterioration in relations with the EU members that still do not recognize Kosovo.

“Within Ukrainian society, recognition of Kosovo’s independence would have no negative effect whatsoever,” he adds, saying that he came to this conclusion during a visit to Kosovo at the end of last year.

Nevertheless, Shymkevych stresses that the lack of formal recognition has not prevented Ukraine from gradually strengthening its ties with Kosovo.

She cites as examples the participation of Ukrainian peacekeepers in KFOR until 2022, the recognition of Kosovo documents for humanitarian matters, trade relations and networks of specialists fighting propaganda and disinformation.

During 2025, Ukraine also appointed a representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Albania and Kosovo.

In a conversation held on Monday with Radio Free Europe, the chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the Ukrainian parliament, Oleksandr Merezhko, suggested that the position on Kosovo’s independence could be reviewed after the war, depending “on the position of the EU and its member states.”

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Karpaty triumfoi 3-0 ndaj LNZ Cherkasy në përballjen e vlefshme për Superligën e Ukrainës.

Pjesë e sfidës ishte edhe ish-sulmuesi i Partizanit, Tedi Cara. Kur rezultati ishte 3-0 dhe ndeshja po i drejtohej fundit, arbitri akordoi një penallti në favor të skuadrës mike. Ekzekutimin e 11-metërshit e mori përsipër Cara.

Megjithatë, sulmuesi nuk arriti të tregohej i saktë nga pika e bardhë, duke humbur kështu rastin që ekipi i tij të shënonte golin e nderit.

Penalltia e humbur nga Tedi Cara.

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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

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