Russia steadfast on Kosovo

Russia has not changed its negative position on the Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence even a year after it was made. Moscow's Vremya Novosti newspaper says that Russia has remained unmoved on Kosovo even thought it in the meantime recognized two other self-proclaimed states – Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia steadfast on Kosovo Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying that the war in Kosovo ended with UNSCR 1244 which Belgrade respected, while there was no pressure and no attacks on Kosovo's Albanians. "There was no cause to declare Kosovo's independence," he said. This, in contrast to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Lavrov said. The Russian minister stated that Georgia's territorial integrity was destroyed by Georgian President Mihkeil Saakashvili himself when he decided to order a bombardment of a peaceful town in South Ossetia last summer.

Russia steadfast on Kosovo

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying that the war in Kosovo ended with UNSCR 1244 which Belgrade respected, while there was no pressure and no attacks on Kosovo's Albanians.

"There was no cause to declare Kosovo's independence," he said.

This, in contrast to South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Lavrov said.

The Russian minister stated that Georgia's territorial integrity was destroyed by Georgian President Mihkeil Saakashvili himself when he decided to order a bombardment of a peaceful town in South Ossetia last summer.