The Ambassador of Russia in Albania, Aleksandar Karpushin, stated that Russia’s position toward Kosovo continues to remain unchanged, sticking to resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council. However, according to him, this position will not impede development of the relation between Russia and Albania. Karpushin criticized Albania for joining the European Union sanctions which according to him are anti-Russian and illegal.

Russia's "information campaigns in the Balkans" are part of its "strategy is to create a perception of Russia as a great power and powerful ally."

There, is, however "little substance behind it in investments or donations to the nations involved," writes the Washington Post.

From the refugee crisis to security threats, Europe’s biggest challenges pass through the Western Balkans. But officials worry that Brexit will see the EU turn inwards just as Russia’s influence in the region is on the rise.

53 percent of Serbians believe the country should continue with EU integration even after Britain's departure from the Union.

Tanjug said this quoting an article in Belgrade-based newspaper Blic, which reported the results of a survey conducted the Institute for European Affairs NGO.

The poll, done in the first half of July, will be presented on Thursday, July 28.

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin this weekend in Mitrovica said that the basis of resolving the Kosovo problem is the Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council. Does the statement say little more than already known principled Russian policy towards Kosovo?

The UN mission in Kosovo rejects the allegations of the Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj, that UNMIK is not desirable in Kosovo and that its mandate was extended because of Russia, which opposes the change of resolution 1244 of the Security Council of the United Nations.

UNMIK spokesman Jan Malekzade told the TV channel Tribuna that no country alone can decide on the mandate of UNMIK and its activities and that it is the decision of the Security Council.

Head of the so-called Office for Kosovo at the Government of Serbia, and Deputy leader of the Serbian Progressive Party, Marko Djuric, is visiting Moscow, where he informed his interlocutors about the situation in Kosovo.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague allowed Pristina to join by ignoring the arguments of those who do not recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said this on Tuesday in Moscow, replying to reporters' questions.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Tuesday called on Kosovo to implements obligations it had agreed to under the deal with Serbia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Gatilov and UN Special Representative for Kosovo Zahir Tanin held a meeting to discuss the situation in Kosovo, the statement said.

Serbia-Russia relations are developing successfully in all areas, Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic agreed on Friday.

Russia is "one of Serbia's most important strategic partners and Belgrade is thankful to Moscow for its support in international organisations on the issue of Kosovo," TASS quoted Dacic as saying before his meeting with Lavrov in Moscow.