Kremlin says it helps Serbia, denies accusations that Russia is stoking tensions in Kosovo1 hour in the past

The Kremlin on Wednesday stated it supported Serbia’s makes an attempt to guard ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo however denied Pristina’s accusation that Russia was one way or the other stoking tensions in an try to sow chaos throughout the Balkans.

Serbs within the ethnically divided metropolis of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo erected new barricades on Tuesday, hours after Serbia stated it had put its military on the very best fight alert following weeks of escalating tensions.

Albanian-majority Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 with the backing of the West, following a 1998-1999 conflict during which NATO intervened to guard ethnic Albanian residents.

Requested about Kosovan Inside Minister Xhelal Svecla’s declare that Serbia, below the affect of Russia, was aiming to destabilize Kosovo by supporting the Serb minority, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated it was “incorrect” to seek for a damaging Russian affect.

“Serbia is a sovereign nation and it’s completely incorrect to search for Russia’s damaging affect right here,” Peskov stated.

“Serbia is a sovereign nation, and naturally, it protects the rights of Serbs who reside close by in such tough circumstances, and naturally reacts harshly when these rights are violated.”

Serbia denies it’s making an attempt to destabilize its neighbour and says it simply needs to guard its minority there. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated on Tuesday that Serbia would “proceed to combat for peace and search compromise options.”

Round 50,000 Serbs reside within the northern a part of Kosovo and refuse to acknowledge the Pristina authorities or the state. They see Belgrade as their capital.

The Kremlin stated it supported Belgrade.

“Having very shut allied relations, historic and non secular relations with Serbia, Russia may be very carefully monitoring what is occurring, how the rights of Serbs are revered and ensured,” Peskov stated. “And, after all, we assist Belgrade within the actions which are being taken.”