“All coalition variables acceptable to Russia”

Brookings Institution Research analyst Igor Danchenko says that Russia will support any governing coalition in Serbia, regardless of its orientation. “Moscow wants a strong governing coalition to be formed quickly so that successful bilateral cooperation can continue,” Danchenko told Voice of America in Washington. “All coalition variables acceptable to Russia” He added that Russia respected all views on the Stabilization and Association Agreement in Belgrade, and said that good relations between Belgrade, the EU and Moscow complimented each other, and were not mutually exclusive. Danchenko said that Russia’s position on Kosovo independence would not change, despite the expectations of the West. The analyst said that despite the arrival of a new president in the Kremlin, Russia “will not recognize Kosovo independence, and will support Serbia’s territorial integrity.” He said that Russia also supported a resumption of talks regarding Kosovo’s status, something that was also supported by China, India, Brazil and other countries. “It is possible that besides Russia, China will also become more involved in the Kosovo status question,” Danchenko suggested. He said that the high level of economic cooperation between the two countries could lead to closer political relations, reiterating that Russia, besides fuel and natural gas, was conducting talks with Serbia over other sources of energy, as well as the possibility of building a nuclear plant and facilities for producing electrical energy.

“All coalition variables acceptable to Russia”

He added that Russia respected all views on the Stabilization and Association Agreement in Belgrade, and said that good relations between Belgrade, the EU and Moscow complimented each other, and were not mutually exclusive.

Danchenko said that Russia’s position on Kosovo independence would not change, despite the expectations of the West.

The analyst said that despite the arrival of a new president in the Kremlin, Russia “will not recognize Kosovo independence, and will support Serbia’s territorial integrity.”

He said that Russia also supported a resumption of talks regarding Kosovo’s status, something that was also supported by China, India, Brazil and other countries.

“It is possible that besides Russia, China will also become more involved in the Kosovo status question,” Danchenko suggested.

He said that the high level of economic cooperation between the two countries could lead to closer political relations, reiterating that Russia, besides fuel and natural gas, was conducting talks with Serbia over other sources of energy, as well as the possibility of building a nuclear plant and facilities for producing electrical energy.