Russia supports Serbia in its actions to end tensions in Kosovo, where shots were fired, explosions and roadblocks were set up. The Kremlin reports this today.
“We have very close ties with Serbia as historical and spiritual allies,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He also said that Russia is “monitoring very closely what is happening in Kosovo and how the rights of the Serbs are being ensured there”. And of course we support Belgrade in the actions it takes.
According to Peskov, “It is normal for Serbia to defend the rights of Serbs who live in difficult circumstances and to react strongly when those rights are violated”.
Army on alert
The statement came after General Milan Mojsilovic, the head of the Serbian army, was sent by President Aleksandar Vucic to the Kosovo border on Sunday. Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic announced on Monday evening that the army was placed on alert amid tensions in neighboring Kosovo.
Serbia does not recognize the independence of its former southern province. Kosovo, with its Albanian majority, declared independence in 2008. Serbia is encouraging Kosovo’s approximately 120,000 Serbs to defy local authorities as Pristina seeks to exercise sovereignty over the entire territory.
Several hundred Kosovo Serbs set up roadblocks in northern Kosovo on 10 December to protest the arrest of a former Serbian police officer. As a result, traffic to two border posts with Serbia came to a standstill.
LOOK. Journalists in Kosovo attacked with stones
Kosovo closes main border crossing with Serbia, Russia denies it wants to create chaos
Serbian army on alert over tensions with Kosovo
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