The Kremlin supports Serbia but denies it is fueling tensions in Kosovo

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The Russians deny Pristina’s accusation that they are somehow fueling tensions in an attempt to sow chaos in the Balkans.

The Kremlin said today it supported Serbia’s efforts to protect Serbs in northern Kosovo, but denied Pristina’s accusation that Russia was somehow fueling tensions in an effort to sow chaos in the Balkans.

Serbs in the northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica erected new barricades yesterday, Tuesday, hours after Serbia said it had put its army on high alert following weeks of escalating tensions.

Asked about statements by Kosovar Interior Minister Xelal Svekla that Serbia, under Russian influence, aims to destabilize Kosovo by supporting the Kosovo Serbs, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was “wrong” to look for a damaging Russian influence.

“Serbia is a sovereign country and it is absolutely wrong to seek Russia’s destructive influence here,” Peskov noted.

“Serbia is a sovereign country and of course protects the rights of Serbs living nearby in such difficult conditions and of course reacts harshly when these rights are violated,” Peskov added.

“Having very close alliance relations, historical and spiritual relations with Serbia, Russia is very closely monitoring what is happening, how the rights of Serbs are being respected and ensured,” the Kremlin spokesman also noted. “And of course, we support Belgrade in the actions that are being taken,” he concluded.

RES-EMP

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