The city of Pristina, capital of Kosovo, has decided to dismantle the enormous banner that for the last four years presided over an emblematic building as a show of support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated this weekend that he does not contemplate recognizing Kosovo's independence.
The mayor of the city, Përparim Rama, shared on social media a video of the removal of the banner, which featured the message 'Free Ukraine', accompanied by the text "When Kosovo is not respected, the capital responds." With this gesture, the mayor wanted to stage the discomfort of the municipal authorities regarding Kiev's position.
In his message, Rama emphasized that "Our empathy and solidarity will always be with the peoples facing war, violence, and persecution. But no cause or policy can be built by undervaluing Kosovo's statehood and the sacrifice of its people," making it clear that support for Ukraine cannot imply renouncing Kosovo's aspirations for international recognition.
In parallel, Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Glauk Konjufca, also expressed his displeasure at Zelensky's words, spoken during his visit this Saturday to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, from which Kosovo proclaimed its self-determination in 2008. The head of Kosovo's diplomacy also used social media to establish the Government's position.
Konjufca noted that "We take note with regret of President Zelensky's statements in Belgrade, in which he reaffirms his non-recognition. Since the first day of Russia's large-scale aggression, Kosovo has been unequivocally on Ukraine's side," recalling Pristina's alignment with Kiev since the beginning of the Russian invasion and the defense of Ukrainian territorial integrity.
The minister stressed that "Kosovo remains firm in its support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine," but, despite this position, urged the Ukrainian leader to reconsider his decision. "We would welcome Ukraine's recognition of the Republic of Kosovo. Such a decision would strengthen the same principles of freedom, democracy, and international law that Ukraine itself is defending today," concluded Konjufca, insisting that Ukrainian recognition would reinforce the values that both governments claim to share.