Zelensky made a move that shook the Balkans: Kosovo responded immediately, Vučić threatened a drastic measure

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to Serbia has significantly amplified regional tensions, particularly concerning the status of Kosovo. During his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who maintains close ties with Russia, Zelensky declared that Ukraine would not recognize Kosovo's independence. This statement immediately drew a strong reaction from Kosovo.

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Respect must be mutual.

Kosovo officials responded swiftly to Zelensky's remarks. A large banner in Pristina reading "Free Ukraine," which had been displayed since 2022, was promptly removed. The mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, stated that while his sympathies remain with "peoples facing war, violence, and persecution," mutual respect is essential.

The visit has further strained relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Following Zelensky's departure, Serbian President Vučić issued a threat to physically divert the Ibar River, which flows from Serbia into Kosovo. This action would be a response to the demolition of Serb-owned houses along the reservoir of an accumulation lake by Kosovo authorities. Such a move could drastically reduce the water level of the reservoir, which is crucial for supplying water to a large part of Kosovo and for cooling its largest power plant.

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Serbia is living in a political bubble and refuses to accept the fact that Serbia has long lost Kosovo.

Meanwhile, sharp exchanges occurred on social media between Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Rama accused Serbia of living in a "political bubble" and failing to accept that "Serbia has long lost Kosovo." Kosovo, a former Serbian province with a majority ethnic Albanian population, declared independence in 2008. While over a hundred countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, recognize its independence, Serbia and Russia do not. Kosovo's status has been a recurring point of reference for Russian President Vladimir Putin to justify his country's actions in Georgia and Crimea.

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We received Zelensky's positions with regret and warned that such rhetoric resembles Russian attempts to Ko