Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s reaffirmation that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo prompted angry reactions from some social media users in Kosovo and Albania following his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade.
Ukraine is among the countries that do not recognise Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. Speaking alongside Vučić, Zelensky said Kyiv respected the territorial integrity of its partners and international law.
“Regarding Kosovo, our position remains unchanged,” Zelensky said, thanking Serbia for respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea.
The remarks received extensive coverage from Kosovo media and triggered criticism from some Albanian-language social media accounts. Several users questioned why Kosovo and Albania should continue supporting Ukraine while Kyiv refuses to recognise Kosovo’s independence.
Some comments called for support to Ukraine to be suspended, while others used insulting or threatening language against the country and its people.
The posts represent the views of individual users and should not be interpreted as reflecting the position of Kosovo’s government or the Albanian public more broadly.
Kosovo and Albania have backed Ukraine
Kosovo’s leaders have repeatedly expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian flags have also been prominently displayed in Pristina as a gesture of solidarity.
Albania, a NATO member, has provided political, humanitarian and military assistance to Kyiv.
The contrast between that support and Ukraine’s refusal to recognise Kosovo has long been a sensitive issue in relations between Pristina and Kyiv.
Kyiv maintains its longstanding policy
Zelensky’s statement did not represent a new Ukrainian policy. Kyiv has consistently declined to recognise Kosovo while seeking international support for Ukraine’s own territorial integrity.
Serbia, which maintains close historical ties with Russia but has supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity at the United Nations, also refuses to recognise Kosovo as an independent state.
The Belgrade meeting and images of Zelensky and Vučić greeting each other intensified the online reaction, exposing tensions between solidarity with Ukraine and frustration over Kyiv’s Kosovo policy.