Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted today on Pristina’s decision to increase taxes by 100 percent for the goods from central Serbia, Tanjug news agency reported.

The Ministry said, that the EU should influence the Kosovo authorities.

“It is about Pristina starting a trade war, in line with ethnic cleansing policy, given that the Serb population in the Province depends very much on goods from the central part of Serbia,” the Ministry said in a press statement.

“It is also noticeable Pristina does not hide it is an act of retaliation for its failure to join Interpol. The EU as a mediator in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue must influence Kosovo authorities and reach an immediate cancellation of this illegal decision that brings serious deterioration of the situation in the Balkans,” the Ministry stressed.

It also described Pristina’s provocation as yet another indicator of invalid Kosovo statehood. “Ten countries already revoked their decisions to recognize Kosovo,” the Ministry concluded.