Ukrainian MP seeking Pristina recognition by Kiev points to the reasons for this initiative

Ukrainian MP Olexey Goncharenko, who delivered a draft resolution to parliament several days ago, demanding that Kiev recognise Pristina, has told Abc News the reasons for this initiative.

“I think we should recognise Kosovo, because if you look at the map of countries that have already recognised Kosovo as an independent state, they are the same countries that are supporting Ukraine. This is free world. It is the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and 22 of the 27 European Union countries in which Ukraine recently became a candidate state just a month ago. I think after February 24th, everything for the whole world became absolutely clear: In Ukraine we have a completely different situation, in Ukraine we have an invasion by our neighbour, which is the aggressor, Russia, and it is absolutely different from what happened more than 20 years ago in Kosovo where another state committed genocide”, the MP said.

The “in Ukraine has been discussed for years on recognition of Kosovo. And the reason for our non-recognition has always been that we've had problems with parts of our territory and Russia is using it. And there was a concern that Russia could use the parallel between the situation in Kosovo, the Donbass of Ukraine and Crime, saying that if Ukraine recognises Kosovo, it would be that Ukraine shouldn't be against recognising that parts of our territory as independent states, Donbas and Crime” respectively, Goncharenko said.

Asked whether Russia has provoked tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, the Ukrainian MP expressed the same opinion with Pristina officials: Putin seeks new conflicts in the Balkans.

Russia wants a new conflict in the region, wants as much war in the world as possible. And I am absolutely sure that Moscow is doing its best to create tensions in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it may have an impact of”, he said.

The resolution on Kosovo's recognition is expected to be voted in the coming days, as the proposive MP says optimistic that he will secure support for other lawmakers.