Moscow – Russia has warned the international forces in Kosovo, EU and NATO to act sensibly, fairly, and strictly within the mandate entrusted to them by the UN.

The Statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry says, “according to information coming from certain Western media, the international forces in Kosovo are preparing operations against the Kosovo Serbs with the aim of provoking them. The groundwork is being put in place for a big application of force against the Serb population in Kosovo, with the aim of pacifying them following the declaration of independence. If this information is true, it becomes clear that the international forces in Kosovo have not learned their lesson from the tragic events in Kosovska Mitrovica in March this year.”

Moscow warns, “Such measures threaten to accelerate a partition of the province, and a large conflict in the region. We call on the international forces, EU and NATO to responsibly consider the implications of such application of force, to act sensibly and fairly, strictly within the mandate that they received from the UN on the basis of Security Council Resolution 1244.”

Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister said that during his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, it had been reiterated that it was necessary to rely on Resolution 1244, and strictly carry out the mandate entrusted therein.

Lavrov said, “We’ve reviewed the situation in Kosovo. We’ve confirmed our position as far as the necessity to rely on Resolution 1244 is concerned, and strictly carry out the mandate of the UN mission to Kosovo.”