Large Ukrainian flag removed in Pristina a day after Zelenskyy’s Belgrade visit

A large Ukrainian flag that had flown in central Pristina since the start of the war in Ukraine was taken down today, authorities and local officials said.

The removal happened one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Belgrade and reiterated that Ukraine’s position on not recognising Kosovo's independence remains unchanged. A video of the flag being taken down was published on social media by Pristina’s mayor, Perparim Rama.

Zelenskyy’s Belgrade remarks

During his visit to Belgrade, Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine’s stance on territorial integrity and international law. He told interlocutors that Kyiv’s policy has not shifted on Kosovo: “We respect the territorial integrity of our partners, we respect international law, that is our position. Regarding what you mentioned about the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, that remains unchanged. We have always stressed that and Ukraine's policy has not changed,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

The president’s comments in Belgrade drew sharp criticism from provisional institutions in Pristina and from media outlets there, according to local reports.

Separately, Zelenskyy addressed the EU and said he understood Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s scepticism, but reminded audiences that Ukraine is at war and has limited time for scepticism.

Local officials in Pristina have not issued a detailed official explanation for the removal; the mayor’s social post is the clearest public record so far of the action. The Ukrainian flag had been a visible sign of support since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Photo: Скриншот