Russia says Serbia must have say in Kosovo status

Russia has repeated its warning that it will block the UN’s plan for Kosovo if Serbia disagrees. It comes after Kosovo appealed to the United States to set a date for the province’s independence from Serbia. But Russia’s foreign minister, Segei Lavrov, has poured cold water on the idea if talks between Belgrade and Pristina fail: “Our position is well known and it’s based on reality, on international law – it’s not based on any artificial schemes. A decision on Kosovo is only possible if both parties agree,” he said.

Kosovo’s 2 million Albanians, 90 percent of the population, are growing increasingly impatient after the West promised them a decision by the middle of this year. Kosovo’s leaders have threatened to declare independence unilaterally. Prime Minister Agim Ceku has called for a “new approach.”

Meanwhile, veterans of Kosovo’s guerrilla war have warned they are prepared to take up arms again if the deadlock continues.

Copyright © 2012 euronews