Russia seeks to block international recognition of Kosovo

PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will try and block Kosovo's independence at an international level, if the Serb province announces its sovereignty, a senior Russian MP said on Monday.



"Russia should use every opportunity at its disposal to block Kosovo's admission to the UN as an independent state," said Konstantin Kosachyov, head of the international affairs committee at the lower house of Russia's parliament. "As for the OSCE, it operates on the basis of consensus, so Russia will also be able to block a decision on Kosovo's admission to the OSCE."



Asked whether the problem of Kosovo's self-proclaimed independence could be considered at the European Council, he said: "Hypothetically, such a decision could be made, but I suppose that would be extremely deplorable for the Council of Europe, since it would be taking a political stance, which is inappropriate for this organization."



He also said Russia would review the principles of its relations with other self-proclaimed republics should Kosovo declare independence.



"If Kosovo proclaims its independence - and there is little doubt it will - this will influence Russia's approach toward developing relations with other self-proclaimed republics," the MP said.



He said responsibility for the development of the situation around Kosovo "is entirely and completely borne by the U.S. and EU," suggesting that the decision on the province's independence would be made in Washington and Brussels, not in Pristina, RIA Novosti reports.