A retired Yugoslav diplomat Vladislav Jovanovic assessed that Serbia’s right to sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohija is stronger than the right of self-declared Kosovo to its own sovereignty, saying other countries that have interests in the Balkans would decide on the resolution of Kosovo issue, and not only the US, Blic daily reported.
Serbian Minister of Defense, Aleksandar Vulin met with the Russian Federation Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Chepurin and discussed the current security situation as well as advancement of cooperation in the field of security, RTS reports.
Minister Vulin thanked the Russian Federation for the full support to Serbia’s efforts to point out to the illegal establishment of the so-called Kosovo army at the UN SC session, and request to disarm this illegal, armed formation in Kosovo and Metohija.
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic says he would "fight for Serbia with all his heart" during the UN Security Council session on Kosovo, to be held on Monday.
During an unscheduled press conference in Belgrade on Sunday, Vucic announced he would travel to New York on an Air Serbia plane, and "hopes it won't be late" - and noted that he would present "what Serbia thinks" after UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) chief Zahir Tanin addresses the Council.
Russia in trying in different places, not only in the Balkans but also in Europe, to show the weakness and incompetence, primarily of the EU, says Ivan Vejvoda.
"The weakening and slowing down of the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans opens up space for countries like Russia, and not only for them, but in different ways for both China and Turkey, and even for the Arab Emirates - the space for certain political and economic, and I would say religious activities," Vejvoda said.
Moscow expects from Brussels to make Pristina fulfill its obligations deriving from the Brussels agreement and establish Community of Serb Municipalities, as well as not to patronize it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, Tanjug news agency reported.
Russian Minister is participating in the 25th OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan, Italy.
Reacting on Pristina’s announcements to form Kosovo army, Russian Foreign Ministry said it is “violation of UN SC Resolution 1244 and destabilizing, provocative act,” Tanjug news agency reports.
“Pristina announced plans to adopt decision on December 14, on establishing Kosovo armed forces,” Russian Ministry said, and warned “that such an act would be direct and clear violation of UN SC Resolution 1244, which is the only international legal document in relation to the Kosovo issue resolution.”
Russian Ambassador in Serbia Alexander Chepurin termed Pristina’s taxes on goods from central Serbia as “a farce” while their consequences might be numerous, Tanjug news agency reported.
According to Ambassador Chepurin such decisions of Pristina are result of nervousness and stalemate, since an increased number of countries are revoking recognitions of Kosovo.
“There are 11 countries now that have revoked recognition of Kosovo. This is a tendency that started to walk on Pristina’s nerves,” Ambassador Chepurin noted.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed to the Russian Ambassador Alexander Chepurin grave concern over announcements on forming the so-called Kosovo army, Tanjug news agency reports.
The statement issued by Vucic’s cabinet further noted such announcements are contradictory to the UN SC Resolution 1244, the only legal framework that is in line with the international law and reached agreements.
Belgrade-based daily Blic writes today that the USA is in a hurry to resolve the Kosovo issue, since any prolongation could place the problem in the hands of Russia, that would have much greater influence over the European Commission after its forthcoming elections.
That is why Trump’s administration is exercising pressure upon Albanians to continue dialogue with Belgrade as soon as possible. US State Secretary Mike Pompeo told Kosovo President Hashim Thaci recently to seize the chance for reaching a historic, comprehensive agreement on normalization of relations with Serbia.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Belgrade, Alexander Chepurn in the strongest terms condemned claims Ramush Haradinaj made in his Op-Ed published in the Washington Post, Tanjug news agency reported.
Ambassador Chepurin also refuted that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, with the alleged help of Russia, is offering recognition of Kosovo in return for part of its territory.