Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic on Friday that he “categorically” opposes a
unilateral declaration of
independence by Kosovo, as the leaders oversaw the signing of a key
energy accord.
“During talks at today’s meeting I again confirmed that Russia is categorically against a unilateral declaration of independence” by Kosovo, Putin told journalists. “This would risk provoking serious damage to the whole of the international legal system and would have negative consequences both for the Balkans and the world,” Putin said.
Tadic, accompanied by Serbian Prime
Minister Vojislav Kostunica, thanked Putin for his support in the wrangling over Kosovo, where prime minister Hashim Thaci has said he will unilaterally announce independence within days. “Serbia will never renounce the preservation of its territorial integrity,” Tadic said, adding that “Serbia is always ready for compromise.” The issue of Kosovo’s future pits Russia against the West in a political confrontation with echoes of the diplomatic wrangling over Nato’s 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia and before that the Cold War.
Russia, with historical ties to Serbia, has stressed its opposition to any unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, while the United States and several European countries have signalled they are ready to accept such a move.
In a statement on Thursday the Kremlin said it saw no “reasonable alternative” to a negotiated resolution with a leading role played by the United Nations — a reminder of Russia’s ability to veto any UN recognition of Kosovan independence.
On Friday the two sides signed an energy cooperation accord that includes plans to route through Serbia a strategic gas pipeline to southern Europe, as well as the sale of Serbia’s NIS oil monopoly to Russian energy giant Gazprom.