Is that really what you want for Ukraine, @ZelenskyyUa? The narrative: You have no right to your independence after a war was waged against you and your people were killed. Do you want this narrative - which you consider appropriate for the Republic of Kosovo - to apply to Ukraine as well? I don’t think so. So an apology, a change of course, and immediate recognition of the Republic of Kosovo’s independence would be the right thing for you to do now, no matter what you expect from Vucic or Serbia.
I recognize an independent Republic of #Kosovo, and I recognize an independent #Ukraine.
I'm keeping my profile picture because we must not let our support for Ukraine weaken. The Ukrainians deserve that, just as the people of Kosovo deserve support for their independence.
President @ZelenskyyUa should be ashamed of himself.
Kosova has stood with Ukraine🇺🇦 from day one because our people know what it means to be repressed and to fight for freedom and independence against a brutal aggressor like Serbia.
You cannot ask the world to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty while denying Kosova’s independence just to kiss @avucic's ass.
I am sure many Ukrainians are embarrassed by you.
How dare you ask America for help and then turn around and undermine Kosova, the most pro-American country in the world?
Undermining Kosova means undermining the United States of #America and #NATO.
God Bless the United States of America and God Bless Kosova 🇺🇸🇽🇰
#HarryBajraktari #Ukraine #Kosova #USA
Absolutely right. With his statement, @ZelenskyyUa did Ukraine no favors and fell into Putin’s trap. Anyone who does not recognize the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo also does not recognize that of Ukraine. The Republic of Kosovo seceded from Serbia, as described below, because it wanted to live in peace and freedom without oppression and murder, just as Ukraine declared its independence because it no longer wanted to be a vassal of Russia/the USSR - to live in peace and freedom. And that's right. A comparison between Kosovo and the territories occupied by Russia would imply that Kosovo had conquered Serbian territory by force, which is definitely not true - quite the contrary. So please, do not adopt the Russian narrative on Kosovo; Putin is merely using it to justify his actions. It harms Ukraine, it harms the Republic of Kosovo, and it harms Europe. Putin is pleased that he can once again divide Europe through the Balkan region.
BTW: Ukraine will not join the EU before it has recognized the Republic of Kosovo.
🚨🇽🇰 BREAKING: Kosovo removes the “Free Ukraine” banner displayed in the center of its capital, Pristina, after Zelenskyy’s visit to Serbia, saying that Ukraine will not recognize Kosovo even though it supports Ukraine’s struggle against Russia
We take note with regret of President Zelenskyy’s remarks in Belgrade reaffirming Ukraine’s non-recognition of the Republic of Kosova.
Since the first day of Russia’s full-scale aggression, Kosova has stood unequivocally with Ukraine. We condemned the invasion, fully aligned with CFSP, imposed sanctions against Russia and Belarus, provided humanitarian assistance and refuge for Ukrainian journalists, and contributed military assistance and training in support of Ukraine’s defence. We did so despite Ukraine’s non-recognition of our state, because solidarity with a people defending its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity is a matter of principle.
It is equally important to recall a clear distinction: while Kosova has imposed sanctions against Russia, Serbia has not aligned with the EU sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Republic of Kosova is a sovereign and independent state, born from the struggle of its people for freedom and from their liberation in 1999 after years of systematic repression and the genocidal campaign of the Milosevic regime. What followed was not an act of annexation, occupation or territorial conquest, but a comprehensive international process under United Nations administration and years of internationally mediated negotiations on Kosova’s final status. When those negotiations had exhausted every possibility for an agreed settlement, UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari recommended independence as Kosova’s final status and presented a comprehensive framework for the new state, including some of the most extensive constitutional guarantees for non-majority communities in Europe. Kosova declared its independence on 17 February 2008 as the culmination of this political and historical process, assumed its responsibilities as a democratic and multiethnic state, and entered a period of internationally supervised independence. In 2010, the International Court of Justice confirmed that Kosova’s declaration of independence did not violate international law, while international supervision formally concluded in 2012. Today, the Republic of Kosova is recognized by the overwhelming majority of NATO and EU member states and has built its statehood firmly on the principles of democracy, human rights, peace and Euro-Atlantic integration.
For precisely these reasons, Russia’s attempts to invoke Kosova as a precedent or justification for its invasion, occupation or attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory are historically and legally false. No such parallel exists.
Kosova remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. At the same time, we respectfully but firmly reject any framing of the Republic of Kosova through the prism of Serbia’s territorial integrity.
We would welcome Ukraine’s recognition of the Republic of Kosova. Such a decision would strengthen the very principles of freedom, democracy and international law that Ukraine itself is defending today.
Kosovo stood with Ukraine from day one.
Now Zelensky visits serbia (russia) while refusing to recognize Kosovo. You cannot demand the world defend Ukraine’s sovereignty while ignoring Kosovo’s.
Principles do not change at the serb/rus border.
Shameh, @ZelenskyyUa :)
This is heartbreaking, but a reality for the people of Kosovo and Bosnia.
Too many still have no answers and no bodies to bury of their loved ones who were slaughtered.
The refusal by Serbia to help locate mass graves is an attempt to deny the atrocities themselves, and a continuation of the cruelties perpetrated.
Mr. Zelensky, your statement that Ukraine’s position on Kosovo remains unchanged is deeply disappointing. Kosovo has stood with Ukraine and genuinely sympathized with the suffering of its people. If this is Ukraine’s response to that solidarity, it is truly regrettable.