Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha has condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent remarks in Belgrade regarding Kosovo, describing them as a serious disappointment and accusing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić of encouraging a “Greater Serbia” agenda.
During his visit to Serbia, Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine’s position on Kosovo’s independence had not changed, saying Kyiv continues to uphold the principles of territorial integrity and international law.
Berisha sharply criticised the Ukrainian president’s position, arguing that it contradicts what he described as the historical decisions of NATO and its leading member states, as well as international law and the International Court of Justice’s 2010 advisory opinion on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
“With regret, we declare that this statement by the representative of a friendly country is completely outside the historical context and openly contradicts the historic decisions of the Atlantic Alliance and its key countries, as well as international law and the decisions of the UN court that sanctioned the legitimacy of Kosovo’s declaration of independence,” Berisha said.
The Democratic Party leader also pointed to Albania and Kosovo’s strong support for Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, contrasting it with Serbia’s continued relationship with Moscow.
“Ukraine, in its heroic war against barbaric Russian aggression, has had and continues to have the full support of the Albanian nation, Albania and Kosovo, while until yesterday Serbia, like a small Russia, was Russia’s powerful rear base in its aggression against Ukraine,” Berisha said.
He accused Vučić of using Zelensky’s position to advance Serbia’s regional ambitions and warned that such statements could contribute to further instability in the Balkans.
“The Democratic Party rejects such a statement and considers it an encouragement for the Greater Serbia supporter Vučić to pursue destabilising positions and actions, which are also in the best interests of Vladimir Putin and Russia,” Berisha said.
Zelensky’s remarks in Belgrade have triggered criticism in Kosovo and Albania, particularly given Kosovo’s political and material support for Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The controversy has also highlighted the complex diplomatic balancing act surrounding Ukraine’s relations with Serbia, as Kyiv seeks broader international support while maintaining its longstanding position on Kosovo’s status.
