Russia to send aid to Serb enclaves

Reports from Moscow says that Russia is looking into ways to send humanitarian aid to the Serb enclaves in Kosovo. Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday asked Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov to consider sending of aid for the enclaves in the province. Russia to send aid to Serb enclaves "When political issues are concerned, that is one side of the problem, and the other side is humanitarian. If we look at the problems that are humanitarian in nature, we should proceed from the stand point that the residents of an enclave should feel good regardless of their nationality," Putin said, speaking at a meeting with the ministers. "If humanitarian aid is needed, then let us provide that, but without any political overtones. I ask the government to work out this issue," the Russian president said. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the meeting that the Serbian government Russia with a request for humanitarian aid. "They are primarily interested in medicines, medical equipment, items with longer use-by dates," Lavrov said. "We considered it important to respond to that request," the Russian foreign minister said. Following the unilateral proclamation of the independence of Kosovo, the humanitarian situation in the Serb enclaves deteriorated over the past two weeks, Lavrov said. This unilateral independence has been recognized so far by some 30 countries, Lavrov said, "but there are many more states that have announced they do not intend to follow suit".

Russia to send aid to Serb enclaves

"When political issues are concerned, that is one side of the problem, and the other side is humanitarian. If we look at the problems that are humanitarian in nature, we should proceed from the stand point that the residents of an enclave should feel good regardless of their nationality," Putin said, speaking at a meeting with the ministers.

"If humanitarian aid is needed, then let us provide that, but without any political overtones. I ask the government to work out this issue," the Russian president said.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the meeting that the Serbian government Russia with a request for humanitarian aid.

"They are primarily interested in medicines, medical equipment, items with longer use-by dates," Lavrov said.

"We considered it important to respond to that request," the Russian foreign minister said.

Following the unilateral proclamation of the independence of Kosovo, the humanitarian situation in the Serb enclaves deteriorated over the past two weeks, Lavrov said.

This unilateral independence has been recognized so far by some 30 countries, Lavrov said, "but there are many more states that have announced they do not intend to follow suit".