Konstantin Kosachev: Russia’s position on Kosovo remains unchanged

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Russia will not let any decisions concerning recognition of Kosovo’s independence be passed at the UN Security Council. The announcement was made today by Chair of the Russian State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev to parliamentary correspondents.

“We shall not let any decisions pass through the Security Council related to Kosovo’s independence. Even if independence of Kosovo is proclaimed and recognized by separate Western countries, there are no prospects of Kosovo’s recognition as a UN member-state,” the MP said.

Kosachev stressed that at any stage of debate over the situation around Kosovo at the UN Security Council Russia has the right to veto, “to which we must necessarily resort.” “With every day passing, the possibility is real of one-sided declaration of Kosovo’s independence,” Kosachev said noting that “the talks had no special chances for success from the start, as one side at the talks, I mean the Kosovo Albanians, had announced that sooner or later the independence would be recognized.”

“Declaration of independence by Pristina will be blunt violation of Resolution 1244, the UN Charter and the international law. This can and will in no way be recognized by Russia. Russia’s position, and it will not bargain by its interests,” said Kosachev on he threshold of discussing the UN Secretary-General’s report on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.