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.

A Serbian Government minister has publicly called for the ethnic cleansing of Albanians from Kosova. Such rhetoric glorifies war crimes, threatens regional stability, and is utterly incompatible with European values as well as European future. Silence is not an option. Nor are weak replies. The highest levels of EU leadership must respond with clear public condemnation, remind Serbia of its obligations, and ensure that such conduct carries consequences in its accession process. Kosova remains committed to democracy, a multi-ethnic society, reconciliation based on truth and justice, and European future. Serbia must choose that path too.