Posted by D. Cupples | Just yesterday, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia (NYT). Reportedly, Russia is not happy about it and views international backing for the declaration as evidence of "double standards and dangerous disregard for international law." The Associated Press reports:
"Russia denounced Kosovo's independence declaration Sunday, warning that the move threatened to ignite a new conflict in the Balkans and calling on NATO and U.N. officials in the territory to nix the decision.
"Russia requested a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, which held closed-door talks Sunday afternoon. Russia, which has veto power on the council, wants the council to renew efforts — long-since pronounced dead by the U.S. and other Western nations — to reach a negotiated settlement of Kosovo's status.
"Kosovo's parliament approved the declaration of independence from Serbia, backed by the U.S. and European allies. Kosovo had formally remained a part of Serbia even though it has been administered by the U.N. and NATO since 1999, when NATO airstrikes ended former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic's crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.
"Russia's Foreign Ministry, lashing out within minutes of the declaration, said Russia supports Serbia's 'just demands to restore the country's territorial integrity.' It said nations backing Kosovo's claim were supporting separatism and would shake 'the foundations of a world order that has developed over decades.'
"Russia claimed the declaration violates the U.N. Charter ensuring the territorial integrity of member nations and threatens 'the escalation of tension and ethnic violence in the region, a new conflict in the Balkans.'" (AP)
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