Russia on Saturday accused Kosovo, the US, and the EU of rising Balkan tensions and expressed alarm after deadly clashes between Kosovan police and protesters opposed to ethnic Albanian mayors.
On Friday, the US and its allies chastised Kosovo for forcing mayors into ethnic Serb communities. NATO asked Kosovo to calm down Saturday.
After the incidents, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ordered the army to go closer to the border on Friday.
“We decisively condemn Pristina’s provocative steps, which have brought the situation close to the hot phase and directly threaten the security of the whole Balkans region,” Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
“The responsibility for this lies fully with the United States and the European Union,” she said, adding that “Western mediators” had rebuked Kosovo too late.
Serbia and its partner Russia oppose Kosovo’s independence and have obstructed its UN membership application. Serbia claims Kosovo.
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