"Russia rejects Kosovo deadlines"

Moscow opposes setting deadlines to the Kosovo status talks, the Russian ambassador to Belgrade says. “Russia supports a proposal put forward by Belgrade to have the Kosovo status on the agenda during direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina in New York on September 28,” Aleksandar Alekseyev told B92 on Wednesday. "Russia rejects Kosovo deadlines" In his opinion, the time is right to exert pressure on the Albanian side to assume a more constructive position in the negotiations, adding it is evident the West continues to support Kosovo Albanians in their bid for independence. “A unilateral proclamation of independence is impossible without the support from the West, and those in favor of the idea would have to take over an immense load of responsibility,” he said, stressing that the consequences of such unilateral moves could be "disastrous". “December 10 marks the day when the UN secretary general should receive a progress report form the Contact Group Troika, a review of the talks in progress,” the Russian ambassador said. “You will not see a document of the Troika saying the December 10 is the end of the talks." "It would be good to reach an agreement by then and Russia is ready to work on it. But December 10 is surely not the end of the process,” concluded Alekseyev. Aleksandar Alekseyev (FoNet) Djelic says Serbia under pressure, thanks Russia for support Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic (DS) said in Moscow Wednesday that Serbia was under great pressure over Kosovo. For this reason, he added, Belgrade "greatly appreciated Russia's support." Following a meeting between a government delegation and Russian officials, Djelic said the delegation had received confirmation that Russia would insist that any solution to Kosovo would not be a one-off case, as some would like it to be, and that Moscow viewed it as a universal principle. He held talks with co-chairman of the Russia-Serbian committee for the promotion of economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation and Minister for Civilian Defence and Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu, and with the presidential representative for the Central Federal District Georgy Poltavchenko. Djelic added that Moscow would demand that any solution be sought by way of compromise and within international law, or remain within the UN Security Council.

"Russia rejects Kosovo deadlines"

In his opinion, the time is right to exert pressure on the Albanian side to assume a more constructive position in the negotiations, adding it is evident the West continues to support Kosovo Albanians in their bid for independence.

“A unilateral proclamation of independence is impossible without the support from the West, and those in favor of the idea would have to take over an immense load of responsibility,” he said, stressing that the consequences of such unilateral moves could be "disastrous".

“December 10 marks the day when the UN secretary general should receive a progress report form the Contact Group Troika, a review of the talks in progress,” the Russian ambassador said.

“You will not see a document of the Troika saying the December 10 is the end of the talks."

"It would be good to reach an agreement by then and Russia is ready to work on it. But December 10 is surely not the end of the process,” concluded Alekseyev.

Đelić says Serbia under pressure, thanks Russia for support

Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić (DS) said in Moscow Wednesday that Serbia was under great pressure over Kosovo.

For this reason, he added, Belgrade "greatly appreciated Russia's support."

Following a meeting between a government delegation and Russian officials, Đelic said the delegation had received confirmation that Russia would insist that any solution to Kosovo would not be a one-off case, as some would like it to be, and that Moscow viewed it as a universal principle.

He held talks with co-chairman of the Russia-Serbian committee for the promotion of economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation and Minister for Civilian Defence and Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu, and with the presidential representative for the Central Federal District Georgy Poltavchenko.

Đelić added that Moscow would demand that any solution be sought by way of compromise and within international law, or remain within the UN Security Council.