The situation in the Balkans was in focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

“We hail any opportunity to hear your opinion about the developments in the regions, to coordinate our further steps on matters of concern for us and in the interests of stability in the Balkans and development of the countries of the region in conformity with the will of their peoples,” Lavrov said.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said in New York late on Tuesday that the world is in a dangerous and complicated situation today.

Vučić, who is attending this year's UN General Assembly, added that at the UN headquarters, "many harsh words" could be heard in that context - and that, as a small country, "we better stay out of any radar."

Russian Foreign Minister on Tuesday said that a new war in the Balkans must be avoided, and that Albanian forces should not be in northern Kosovo and Metohija.

Speaking during his annual news conference in Moscow, Lavrov touched on the latest tensions between Belgrade and Pristina.

"The forces of Kosovo Albanians should not be present in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, which is inhabited by Serbs," said Lavrov.

Resolution 1244 must be respected to the maximum, said yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, adding that Russia accepts all the solutions and processes in relation to Kosovo.

"We show the solidarity with the Serbian friends, and we are against any attempts to unilaterally revise this Resolution," said Lavrov during a visit to Belgrade.

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.