Zelenskyy reaffirms Ukraines refusal to recognise Kosovo during Serbia visit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Serbia on 8 August, where he reaffirmed that Ukraine does not recognise Kosovos independence, prompting criticism in Kosovo.

Zelenskyy made the remarks during his first official visit to Serbia, where he met Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and discussed economic cooperation, reconstruction and both countries’ European aspirations.

Speaking alongside Vučić, Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s longstanding position on Kosovo remained unchanged.

"We respect the territorial integrity of our partners; we respect international law; therefore, our position regarding Kosovos unilateral declaration of independence remains unchanged."

Zelenskyy also thanked Serbia for supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity after Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022. Reuters reported that the two leaders pledged closer economic ties, with Vučić saying Serbia would continue to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including territories seized by Russia since 2014.

Vučić, in turn, thanked Kyiv for maintaining its policy of non-recognition towards Kosovo. The position is politically valuable for Serbia, which continues to reject Kosovo’s independence and insists that the territory remains part of Serbia.

Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated earlier this year that Belgrade “does not recognize, has not recognized, and will not recognize” Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is now recognised by more than 100 UN member states. Serbia, backed by Russia and China, continues to oppose its recognition. Ukraine is among the states that have not recognised Kosovo.

But the statement drew criticism in Kosovo, where political leaders and the public have strongly supported Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Tirana Times reported that Kosovo’s acting foreign minister Glauk Konjufca expressed regret over Zelenskyy’s remarks and contrasted Ukraine’s position with Kosovo’s support for Kyiv. Kosovo has condemned Russia’s invasion, aligned with European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus, provided humanitarian assistance and shelter for Ukrainian journalists, and contributed aid and military training in support of Ukraine’s defence.

Konjufca said Kosovo had done so despite Ukraine’s non-recognition because solidarity with a people defending their freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity was a matter of principle.

Municipal authorities in Pristina also removed a large Ukrainian flag and “Free Ukraine” banner that had been displayed on a building in central Pristina since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Pristina Mayor Përparim Rama said Kosovo’s solidarity with people facing war, violence and persecution remained, but warned that Kosovo’s statehood and sacrifices could not be diminished. “When Kosovo is not respected, the capital Pristina always responds in the same way,” Rama said.

The removal of the banner did not signal a formal change in Kosovo’s support for Ukraine, but reflected growing frustration over the lack of political reciprocity from Kyiv.

The comments also prompted a response from neighbouring Albania. Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs welcomed dialogue between Ukraine and Serbia, but rejected any attempt to equate Kosovo’s independence with Russia’s territorial claims against Ukraine. The ministry said Albania would continue to stand behind Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, while also defending Kosovo’s sovereignty, independence and rightful place in the Euro-Atlantic community.

It also noted that the International Court of Justice found in 2010 that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law. Albania argued that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was fundamentally different, as it represented a violation of the United Nations Charter and the international legal order.