Prishtina, 24 August 2026
Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended a reception hosted by the Presidency to mark the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Kurti said that in 1991, the Ukrainian Parliament voted on the act that restored to the Ukrainian people their right to determine their own destiny. He added that for more than four years, Ukraine has been forced to defend that right with arms in hand, because the Russian Federation, built on the logic of perpetual war for territorial expansion, decided to undo it by force.
Prime Minister Kurti said that the position of the Republic of Kosovo had remained the same from the very beginning and that our solidarity with Ukraine had never been transactional.
“We are aware that Kyiv still does not recognize the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, and this position was reiterated two weeks ago. We believe that this position stands neither against the historical facts nor international law, and we will say so whenever necessary, just as we welcome recognition of Kosovo’s independence by Ukraine and by every other freedom-loving and peace-loving state that has yet to recognize the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo and the Albanian people stand not only in their rightful place, but also on the right side of history,” the Prime Minister stressed.
Full Speech by Acting Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear Ms Albulena Haxhiu, Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear Ukrainians,
Distinguished representatives of international organisations,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, Ukraine marks the 35th anniversary of its declaration of independence. In 1991, the Ukrainian Parliament voted on the act that restored to the Ukrainian people their right to determine their own destiny.
Four and a half of these thirty-five years have been years in which Ukraine has been forced to defend that right with arms in hand, because the Russian Federation, built on the logic of perpetual war for territorial expansion, decided to undo it by force.
This year also marks 12 years since Russia’s aggression, when, in 2014, it attacked and occupied Crimea and the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
This war has no justification. Ukraine did not start it, and Ukraine cannot end it by withdrawing or surrendering. Russia attacked Ukraine with the aim of eradicating it as a nation and as a state.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified more than 16,000 civilians killed and more than 48,000 injured since 24 February 2022, while stressing that the actual figures are higher. This number continues to rise. July of this year was the month with the highest number of civilian casualties since May 2022. Three million seven hundred thousand people have been internally displaced, and almost six million are refugees outside the country.
The Ukrainian state platform “Children of War” records 734 children killed, more than 2,800 injured, and more than 20,000 children deported or forcibly displaced. Only 2,500 of them have returned home.
The killing, abduction and disappearance of children demonstrate the inhumane and barbaric nature of Russia’s actions in Ukraine today, but they are also evidence of its ultimate aim: the eradication of the Ukrainian nation.
The position of the Republic of Kosovo has remained the same from the very beginning. We have strongly condemned the aggression and fully aligned ourselves with the European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus. We have provided shelter to Ukrainian journalists in cooperation with the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, the European Federation of Journalists and the Association of Journalists of Kosovo. Instructors from the Kosovo Security Force are part of Operation Interflex for training Ukrainian soldiers, and we have also provided military assistance, vehicles and ammunition.
As a member of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, we actively participate, together with our partners, in coordinating support and responding to Ukraine’s defence needs. The Republic of Kosovo will continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity through coordinated political, humanitarian, economic and security assistance until a just and lasting peace is achieved.
These are not merely symbolic gestures; they are concrete expressions of our solidarity with the Ukrainian people in defence of state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and their just struggle for freedom and democracy as a struggle for liberation and against colonialism.
We understand that the threat posed by Russia does not stop at Ukraine’s borders. Drones falling on the territory of NATO member states, attacks on energy infrastructure, and disinformation campaigns affect our entire European continent. Serbia’s continued attacks against Kosovo, culminating in the aggression and terrorist attack in Banjska in September 2023, clearly demonstrate the risk posed to our region by states, individuals and criminal groups linked to the Russian Federation.
It is important for the entire continent and the world that Ukraine win this war. It is vital for our generation and future generations that Ukraine emerge victorious. A peace that rewards the aggressor is neither a just nor a lasting peace; it is an invitation to the next act of aggression.
Distinguished guests,
We are aware that Kyiv still does not recognize the independence of the Republic of Kosovo, and this position was reiterated two weeks ago. We believe that this position stands neither against the historical facts nor international law, and we will say so whenever necessary, just as we welcome recognition of Kosovo’s independence by Ukraine and by every other freedom-loving and peace-loving state that has yet to recognize the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo and the Albanian people stand not only in their rightful place, but also on the right side of history.
However, our solidarity with Ukraine has never been transactional. Kosovo supports Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity today just as it did yesterday, because we stand in solidarity with a people defending its freedom and its right to exist as a state.
Happy Independence Day!
Slava Ukraini!
