Zelenskyy's Kosovo remarks in Belgrade trigger flag removal in Prishtina
Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama had a Ukrainian flag removed from a central city building after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Kyiv's unchanged stance against Kosovo's unilateral independence declaration during a visit to Belgrade.
Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama has announced the removal of a Ukrainian flag from one of the city's central buildings, a step he linked directly to recent remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Belgrade.
According to Rama, Zelenskyy used his visit to the Serbian capital to reaffirm that Kyiv's position on Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence remains unchanged — meaning Ukraine continues not to recognize it. The mayor stated this reaffirmed stance was the reason behind the decision to take down the flag from the central Prishtina building.
Background
Ukraine is among the countries that have not recognized Kosovo's independence from Serbia, declared unilaterally in 2008. Kyiv's position has been tied to its broader principled stance on territorial integrity, an issue that carries particular sensitivity for Ukraine given its own ongoing conflict with Russia over occupied territory.
Mayor Rama tied his decision explicitly to Zelenskyy's comments, without indicating any further steps or additional context from Prishtina's side regarding the diplomatic relationship between the two capitals.
