Russia’s position on Kosovo: Are changes possible?

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Russia has a complex of actions and measures in case Kosovo independence is declared, said Russian Foreign Minister’s Special Representative for the Balkans Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, while speaking at a session of the Russian State Duma Committee for Foreign Affairs on January 28, a REGNUM correspondent informs.

Without specifying what the actions are, the diplomat noted that “those measures are fully in line with our stance.” “I can only state one thing: it will an active and effective response. The measures that were drafted and will be presented to the country’s leadership envisage no possibility of stepping aside from the position Russia is taking now,” said Botsan-Kharchenko. “We intend and we must continue the close coordination of our steps with Belgrade,” the special representative of the Russian foreign minister added.

It is worth mentioning, Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky announced on air of Echo Moskvy Radio that sooner or later, Russia would recognize Kosovo’s independence under pressure of the West. According to the MP, Kosovo would obtain independence “right after pro-Western forces win at the election in Serbia.” Zhirinovsky claims that Russia’s position on Kosovo is dependant upon assessment of the outcomes of the March presidential election in Russia by the world community. “To make the West connive at the outcome of the March 2 election, we shall recognize Kosovo and betray the Serbs, our last allies,” believes Zhirinovsky.