Ukrainian journalist Iryna Synelnyk, who is part of the group of Ukrainian journalists hosted in Kosovo following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, has reflected on the similarities and differences between Kosovo’s post-war experience and the challenges Ukraine faces today.
In an article dedicated to Kosovo’s Liberation Day and the international conference “Bridges of Memory: Reconciliation and Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Societies,” organized in Pristina by Liria ka Emër and KIPRED, Synelnyk argues that Kosovo’s experience provides valuable lessons for post-conflict reconstruction, justice, and reconciliation.
She recalls that June 12 marks the end of the 1998–1999 war in Kosovo, the entry of NATO peacekeeping forces, and the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces, describing the date as a historic milestone that continues to shape the country’s political and social development.
According to Synelnyk, one of the conference’s central themes was the question of when and under what conditions reconciliation between peoples is possible after war. In this context, she highlights discussions among diplomats, politicians, academics, and activists from various countries, who emphasized the importance of justice, documentation of crimes, and the preservation of historical memory.
She notes that the experience of relations between Kosovo and Serbia demonstrates that reconciliation cannot be built without acknowledging crimes committed during the conflict and confronting the past. She stresses that this issue remains equally important for Ukraine as it deals with the consequences of Russian aggression.
The Ukrainian journalist underlines that documenting war crimes and preserving collective memory are essential elements of any future process of justice and reconciliation. According to her, Kosovo’s experience shows that without justice and recognition of historical truth, it is difficult to establish lasting relationships between societies affected by war.
Synelnyk’s article serves as a reflection on the challenges that await Ukraine after the war, presenting Kosovo as an important case study in how post-conflict societies address justice, memory, and the process of reconciliation.
