Ukraine’s national teams to play Kosovo at neutral venues

BELGRADE – The Ukraine national basketball and football teams will play their respective EuroBasket 2017 and World Cup 2018 qualifying games against Kosovo at neutral venues outside Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia Oleksandr Aleksandrovych announced Tuesday.

This is a result of a recent political decision by Ukraine as part of its “consistent policy of non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence,” Aleksandrovych noted.

“We will not welcome the Kosovo delegations at home because we do not recognise Kosovo’s travel documents (passports). The decision was not an easy one to make, considering that all other European countries, including the Russian Federation, have already recognised Kosovo’s travel documents,” he noted in a written statement submitted to Tanjug.

The decision “is another proof of our long-standing friendly relations” with Serbia, he added.