Ukraine is withdrawing its troops that are currently serving in the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

The Joint Forces Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces mentioned this in its response to the request of “RBK-Ukraine“.

This regards the peacekeeping mission of KFOR (NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo).

“To date, in Kosovo, the Republic of Serbia, there is a national contingent of the Armed Forces of Ukraine consisting of 40 servicemen,” the document says.

The Ministry of Defense noted that measures are currently being undertaken to return them to Ukraine.

The basis for this decision was Presidential Decree No. 114 of March 7, 2022, “On the withdrawal of national contingents and national personnel participating in international operations to maintain peace and security.”

“The return of the national contingent will mean the temporary termination of its participation in the KFOR mission,” the Joint Forces Command clarified.

As previously reported, in March, President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled Ukrainian peacekeepers from all over the world through his Decree.

The Decree concerns the recall of the national contingent and national personnel participating in international operations to maintain peace and security.

The Decree was issued as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

KFOR (Kosovo Force) is a NATO-led international force responsible for ensuring stability in Kosovo. KFOR forces entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999, based on a UN Security Council resolution. Ukraine is a member of the international peacekeeping forces in Kosovo.

The Ukrainian contingent first arrived in Kosovo as part of a peacekeeping mission back in 1999. Since then, almost one and a half thousand Ukrainian servicemen were working to ensure peace and security in the Balkans. Currently, 3,600 military personnel from 19 NATO countries and eight non-Alliance countries are participating in this mission.