Kosovo's solidarity with Ukraine is particularly visible even though Ukraine has not yet recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state. However, the people of Kosovo have shown deep empathy for the suffering of Ukrainians and have stood by them in these difficult days.

This is what the German ambassador to Kosovo, Joern Rohde, said at the reception that the QUINT embassies and the EU Office organized in honor of the National Day of Ukraine.

Ukrainian journalists living in Kosovo were honored there through the Hannah Arendt Initiative of the German Government.

Ambassador Rohde on behalf of the ambassadors of QUINT and the EU Office, said that they have gathered not only to celebrate the Independence Day of Ukraine, but to honor the loving spirit that the Ukrainian nation has shown in the defense of freedom and democracy .

He added that this is the third Independence Day being celebrated under the shadow of Russia's brutal and unprovoked invasion.

Journalist from Ukraine, Iryna Synelnyk, thanked the state of Kosovo and other supporting states for their support and solidarity, saying that this is the main public holiday for Ukrainians, but it is the third time that she celebrates during the war.

She added that since Ukrainians are a brave and stable people, they are continuing to fight for their freedom and territorial integrity.

And while she remembered how happy they were before the war, she added that now in her country, no one can feel safe.

"No one in my country can feel safe. No one knows what will happen in the next moment. Thousands of Ukrainians, military and civilians, were killed during the war, millions became refugees. We are paying a high price for our freedom. And we understand that we protect not only ourselves, but also the peace and tranquility of neighboring countries. My colleagues and I can be lucky because we had the opportunity to be part of the international housing program in Kosovo. We have discovered Kosovo as a country and the people of Kosovo who have a big heart and have become true friends for us. The most valuable thing for us is that you survived the war, you understand Ukrainians very well. We have a mission to be the voice of Ukraine in the Balkans and to tell people in Ukraine about Kosovo," she said.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said that one of the first forms of aid that Kosovo offered to Ukraine was the journalist housing program, which continues to this day, and through this initiative, Kosovo has granted 18 Ukrainian journalists the status of temporary protection, so that they can continue their work. According to him, 12 of them still live and work in our country forming an integral part of our vibrant and diverse media landscape, indeed providing a safe and welcoming space for journalists is one of the government's proudest achievements in protecting and promoting media freedom.

He said in addition to our support for Ukrainian journalists, Kosovo has temporarily lifted the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens in general and laid the groundwork for sheltering up to 5000 refugees from the conflict.

"We have approved 13 EU sanctions packages against Russia, Belarus... And we have supported all US sanctions against these countries as well, in cooperation with matkosova (mind, action, training) and EUcom, command European Union of the USA, the KSF has trained 140 Ukrainians in the field of demining. And together we are providing training for Ukrainian recruits in combat tactics. So far, 34 recruits have been trained through this operation. And just last August, on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day, our government officially joined the G000 joint declaration of support for Ukraine. "Kosovo's support for Ukraine in this time of need shows our commitment to act with our international partners against Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression," he said.

According to him, Russia was always anti-Western, generally non-European, and now it has become anti-European, therefore, the liberation war in Ukraine is a European war in Europe for Europe, and our solidarity is our duty belonging to the European continent.

The reception held at the National and University Library of Kosovo also included an exhibition of photographs from Ukraine.