Spahiu: Ukraine will recognize Kosovo when Serbia and Russia do

Analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu told Kosovo Online that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Belgrade and the messages he conveyed on that occasion were expected, noting that relations with Serbia are important to Kyiv, while the issue of Kosovo is of far less significance.

"Serbia is important to Ukraine; Kosovo is not. At the very least, it is important for Serbia to maintain neutrality in its relations with Russia. It is well known that Serbia is the only European country that has not imposed sanctions on Russia, while nevertheless maintaining ties with Ukraine, so its position on this issue can in a way be regarded as neutral, and that is important to Ukraine. Kosovo is completely irrelevant to Ukraine, given Ukraine's strength, size, and power, so this was to be expected. Secondly, this has also demonstrated the sheer idiocy of Kosovo's diplomacy, which has fully committed itself to supporting Ukraine, even providing military assistance within its capabilities. Every speech by former President Vjosa Osmani and Albin Kurti was focused on 'attacking' Putin and Russia while supporting Ukraine. They tried to portray themselves as 'more Western than the West itself,' which is directly engaged in a conflict with Russia," Spahiu said.

He added that, in his view, Pristina should pursue a more measured policy toward Moscow, given the importance of Russia's position for Kosovo's membership in the United Nations.

"We should not forget that what matters to Kosovo is recognition by Russia, not recognition by Ukraine. Recognition by Ukraine is of relatively little importance, while recognition by Russia is of vital importance to Kosovo and to the state of Kosovo. Sooner or later, Kosovo will have to knock on the Kremlin's door to obtain recognition, or rather Russia's vote for admission to the United Nations. I am not saying that Kosovo's diplomacy should oppose the United States and the West and align itself with Russia. It should simply be more measured and should not be so aggressive toward Russia in a situation where it has no particular interest to gain from Ukraine. A certain level of dignity should be maintained so that, when an opportunity to talk to Russia arises, there is an open channel, rather than having the president, prime minister, and other officials attack Russia and President Putin in every other speech," Spahiu said.

Commenting on reactions from Pristina and assessments by some analysts that the Ukrainian president's visit to Belgrade was "a poke in the eye for Pristina," Spahiu said that such a reaction did not surprise him.

"Well, it was, but only fools could have been surprised by it. I was not surprised at all. For me, this was entirely to be expected," he stressed.

Asked whether, following Volodymyr Zelensky's statement in Belgrade, it was unrealistic to expect Ukraine to change its position and recognize Kosovo, despite previous statements by Kosovo officials suggesting that Kyiv might reconsider its decision, Spahiu replied:

"Yes, it is unrealistic. Ukraine will recognize Kosovo when Serbia, or rather Russia, recognizes it. It cannot be expected to do so before Serbia and Russia," Spahiu concluded.