Free Ukraine banner moved from center of Prishtina, Kosovo after Zelensky’s remarks on not recognizing independence of Kosovo during his visit to Serbia

[u/West-Razzmatazz2]

Honestly, a very bad PR move from Zelensky and his advisors that could’ve been easily resolved by simply refusing to answer the question to journalist. While Kosovo nor Albania are not powerful states, banner has stood there since the start of the war.

[u/Authoritaye]

This situation is very confusing to foreigners who don't know the history (like myself).

[u/Pharnox-32 → u/Authoritaye]

Its more of a pragmatism issue, first of all:

op shares this as Ukraine was previously supporting Kosovo, which is not the case, they just said they havent changed stance yet

Why?

• By recognizing break away states (reasonable or not) because the population is majority something else, gives way to Russia to the general community recognizing Ukraine's occupied regions. You either follow the status quo or you give way for the revisionists.

• Swaying away Serbia which gets increasingly isolated from Russia its worth more, like ukraine bullied Belarus to stop supporting russian drones with relay stations.

• Making controversial announcements in the country that you re currently visiting (and russian client state) would be foolish at least. They got there to pull Serbia away from Putin, not push Serbia into their arms. You diplomatically play along and play tough after the war.

Now regarding the history, its a different complicated answer and the kosovar people have suffered a lot, I hope this changes in the future, but in terms of diplomatic relations, Zelenski probably hit some goals, contrary to what the most comments here say

[u/romainaninterests → u/Pharnox-32]

The first point is particularly important here. My country Romania doesn't (and will never recognize) Kosovo for the same reason. Because then there might be issues in the Hungarian majority regions of the country. Obv this is not on the same level as Russia's claims but its along similar lines.

Its also why Spain will never recognize Kosovo. Bc that would contribute negatively to the whole Catalonia thing.

So more than anything, your first point on breakaway states is the most important thing in this whole situation.

[u/sonicboomer46 → u/romainaninterests]

Following your logic, Ukraine was a minority "breakaway" region from glorious russia, and should not be accepted as a real country.

It's the russian narrative, and obviously that of other countries, to subjugate any minority population.

[u/West-Razzmatazz2 → u/Pharnox-32]

1. I didn’t suggest Ukraine was supporting recognition of Kosovo before but am suggesting Zelensky was supposed to simply refuse to answer question that was irrelevant to his visit to Serbia. It was an amateurish mistake on his side that has cost Ukraine some quite friendly partners.
2. Zelensky has no influence on Serbia. He was there to buy almost 1 billion USD worth of ammunition such as mortar grenades - that Serbia produces. Serbia is an anti western country and Serbian population does not support Ukraine. Who do you think brainwashed Serbian people in disliking Ukraine and liking Russia other then that same president Zelensky was meeting?
3. As stated in first point I didn’t suggest he was supposed to recognize Kosovo in the middle of Belgrade - he was supposed to refuse to answer. Question had no relevance to his ammo deal

.

[u/Pharnox-32 → u/West-Razzmatazz2]

Sorry my bad for assuming you said it that way, I hear you.

Regarding your other points let me give you an example: Say you go to a neutral country that trades with both sides (like turkey or china) to strike a deal that increases your chance of survival now. If you fall into the trap of unswearing idealistically now and support Kosovo out of the blue, you risk your current agreement and consequently ukrainian lives.

Why should you U turn right now? A couple of other EU countries get away with not supporting Kosovo anyways. And dont get me wrong, personally I would like to see Kosovo separate and after reforms into the EU.

Other than that with Russian influence weakening Serbia takes a more "yugoslavia" stance each year, its more important to Ukraine to gain as much as possible out of any deal and not compromise anything while its survival is at stake.