Zelenskyy's Kosovo stance triggers diplomatic friction across Western Balkans

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's affirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv will not recognise Kosovo's independence has triggered widespread diplomatic fallout across the Western Balkans.

In Pristina, authorities removed a prominent solidarity banner supporting Ukraine that had been displayed for years. Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko termed Kyiv's stance a "diplomatic mistake," asserting that Ukrainians back Kosovo's independence. Meanwhile, Albania rejected any effort to draw parallels between Kosovo and other international conflicts. Commentators also noted that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić leveraged the high-profile visit to bolster his domestic standing.

Simultaneously, rhetoric flared over northern Kosovo's Ibar River. European Union spokesperson Anita Hipper cautioned Serbian officials against discussing alterations to the river's flow, emphasizing that bilateral disputes must be resolved solely through Brussels-facilitated negotiations.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Faktoje, Gazeta Tema, Kanal 5, Koha