Prishtina has removed the giant “Free Ukraine” banner from the Grand Hotel, just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed during his visit to Serbia that Ukraine’s position on Kosova has not changed.

The huge Ukrainian flag and “Free Ukraine” message had been displayed on the Grand Hotel in the center of Prishtina for years as a symbol of Kosova’s solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Zelensky made the remarks on Saturday during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. He said Ukraine respects Serbia’s territorial integrity and that Kyiv’s position on the non-recognition of Kosova remains unchanged.

On Sunday, Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama published video showing the removal of the banner from the Grand Hotel.

“The State of Kosova must be respected. When Kosova is not respected, the capital, Pristina, always responds in the same way,” Rama wrote.

Rama also stressed that Kosova’s solidarity with people facing war, violence and persecution remains strong.

“Our empathy and solidarity will always be with peoples facing war, violence and persecution. Because we, more than many others, know what it means to fight for freedom, dignity and the right to exist as a state,” Rama wrote.

“But no cause and no policy can be built by belittling the statehood of Kosova and the sacrifice of its people,” he added.

The removal comes after years of highly visible support for Ukraine in Prishtina. The “Free Ukraine” banner had become one of the capital’s most recognizable symbols of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.