Ukrainian Flag Removed in Pristina After Zelenskyy's Comments on Kosovo's Status

A large Ukrainian flag was removed from central Pristina today. It had been a symbol of Kosovo's support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. This happened a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Belgrade. During his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Zelenskyy spoke about Kyiv's position on Kosovo's independence. Zelenskyy clearly stated that Ukraine has not changed its policy toward Kosovo. He emphasized that his country respects the territorial integrity of its partners. He added that Ukraine's stance on Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence remains firm. "We respect the territorial integrity of our partners. This is international law," Zelenskyy said. "Ukraine's policy has not changed." These remarks sparked strong reactions in Pristina. Kosovo had strongly backed Ukraine from the start of the war, imposing sanctions on Russia. Yet, Ukraine still does not recognize Kosovo's independence. Former Kosovo President Behgjet Pacolli expressed disappointment. He recalled Kosovo's support for Ukraine during the conflict. Veterans of the OVK also reacted, calling Zelenskyy's statement "anti-Kosovo." Albania's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs rejected any comparison between Kosovo's status and the situation in Ukraine. They said such comparisons were misleading. The flag's removal became more symbolic after these political reactions. Videos of it spread online, and Pristina media reported on it. However, there is no official confirmation that the flag removal is directly linked to Zelenskyy's statement. The reason for its removal is not yet known. It remains unclear if it's a political message or due to other reasons.