Russia Calls on Kosova, US, EU to Stop ‘Provocations,’ Respect Serbs in Kosovo

On Sunday, Russia called on Kosovo and the US and EU to stop “provocations” and respect the rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

Kosovo’s new rules on the reinsurance of personal documents and license plates for local Serbs targeted another step towards their expulsion from Kosovo, said a spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova.

“Such a development of events is more evidence of the failure of the mediation mission of the European Union. It is also an example of what place Serbia has been prepared for in the European Union by offering Belgrade to de facto put up with the lack of rights of its compatriots,” she added.

The tension between Kosovo and Serbia aggravated on Sunday ahead of a Kosovar law set to effect Monday, making it everyone mandatory, including Serbs living in Kosovo, to have a Kosovo ID card and plate.

Local media heard air raid sirens near the Kosovo/Serbian border as Kosovo said to restrict border crossings.

Albin Kurti, Kosovo’s prime minister, alleged the President of Serbia for growing tension and possible border conflicts between the two countries, decrying planned threats and “fear” in neighboring Serbia.

Defense Ministry Serbia issued a statement alleging that the Kosovar government is spreading rumors through fake social media accounts.

Albanians dominantly inhabit Kosovo; it broke away from Serbia in 1999 and declared its independence in 2008. It is recognized by over a hundred countries, including the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Turkey. However, Serbia has not recognized this and continues to lay claim to the territory.