Moscow warns the West about the inadmissibility of blackmail and pressure on the Serbs
The knot of problems around Kosovo is primarily due to the violent separation of the region from Serbia with the direct support of the West.
The PolitNavigator correspondent reports that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated this in an interview with the Trud newspaper, answering the question of what efforts could help resolve the conflict around Kosovo.
“Speaking about the Kosovo problem, I would prefer to talk not about the conflict between Belgrade and Pristina, but about the consequences of the shameless forceful seizure of part of the territory of Serbia. It was carried out by armed Kosovo Albanian fighters with the connivance and direct support of the West, including the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia in 1999. As a result of this lack of rights, a self-proclaimed quasi-state was created on the site of the Serbian Autonomous Region unilaterally, bypassing UN Security Council Resolution 1244 - the basis of the settlement,” Lavrov emphasized.
He added that the Kosovo political elite openly ignores international law, the legitimate demands and interests of Serbia and the Serbian people, seeking to legalize the current state of affairs at any cost.
The minister also noted that at one time, critical decisions were agreed upon through UN mediation, in particular on the creation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities of Kosovo, but “due to the obstruction of the Kosovars, these decisions remained virtual.”
According to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, today the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is stagnating. The publication’s interlocutor also noted that Brussels and Washington are now increasing activity to restart the negotiation process.
“It is important to remember that we need a serious and honest conversation about the future relationship between Belgrade and Pristina. It can be effective only with respect for the legitimate interests of the Kosovo Serbs, real consideration of their concerns, and compliance with international law. External assistance must be carried out without blackmail and arm-twisting of one side while simultaneously encouraging the dubious political appetites of the other. The alternative to dialogue is extremely dangerous for everyone,” Lavrov concluded.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.