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Representatives of the Croatian opposition left differed from President Zoran Milanovic's statements about Ukraine and Kosovo.

They expressed support for an official Kyiv as a victim of aggression and highlighted the fact that Croatia has recognized Kosovo's independence, Croatian media reported.

Milanovic is a former chairman of the Social Democratic Party.

Mirela Ahmetovic of the Social Democratic Party said she would never be Milanovic's spokesperson or lawyer.

"My opinion and the opinion of the SDP on Ukraine is quite clear. As for Kosovo, Croatia recognized Kosovo in 2008 and that is the end of the story for me. There is no need to comment on Milanovic's views," she said.

She expressed regret that Milanovich's statement was so long and full of contradictory statements that only gave Russian propagandists an opportunity to use it for their dirty work.

"Milanovic has attracted more attention with his statements than the affairs of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDO)," Ahmetovic said, adding: "People, the HDO is robbing us. I can't believe that someone's statement about something is more important than the robbery , which takes place in Croatia".

Domagoj Hajduković, also a social democrat, pointed out that Ukraine is fighting for freedom and needs help, while Kosovo is an independent country.

"This is a reality that both Belgrade and Pantovcak /where the presidency is located/ must accept, and this is where the story ends," Hajdukovic was quoted as saying by Hina.

Sandra Benkic from the Green Bloc stressed that Milanovic's statements about Kosovo are absolutely unacceptable.

She reminded that Croatia recognized Kosovo and he, in his capacity as prime minister at the time, visited Pristina.

"In this situation of global uncertainty caused by Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, and this war has consequences for our entire region, making statements that in any way risk peace in the region is irresponsible," Bencic said.

The President of Croatia: If Washington and Moscow do not agree, a third world war will begin

Milanovic said on Monday that the international community and his country, Croatia, had annexed Kosovo, "took it away from Serbia", and while clarifying his objections to Zagreb providing military aid to Kyiv, said it was "clear that Crimea will never be part of Ukraine again".

His remarks were sharply criticized by Croatia's ruling party and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, as well as by Kyiv.