Russia "
supports
" Serbia in its actions aimed at ending tensions in Kosovo where shootings and explosions took place and where roadblocks were erected, the Kremlin said on Wednesday (December 28th).
"
We have very close allied, historical and spiritual relations with Serbia
," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press, adding that Russia was following "
very carefully what is happening (in Kosovo , note) and how the rights of Serbs (y) are ensured
”.
“
And, of course, we support Belgrade in the actions it takes
,” he stressed.
Read alsoWhat is happening on the border between Serbia and Kosovo?
According to Dmitri Peskov, “
it is natural that Serbia defends the rights of Serbs who live nearby in such difficult conditions and reacts harshly when their rights are violated
”.
This statement comes as General Milan Mojsilovic, head of the Serbian armies, was dispatched on Sunday evening by President Aleksandar Vucic to the border with Kosovo and Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic announced that the country's army was on heightened alert on Monday evening following recent tensions in Kosovo.
Germany condemns Serbia's policy
The strengthening of the Serbian military presence on the border with Kosovo, plagued by tensions, sends a "
very bad signal
", estimated on Wednesday the German government, denouncing the "
nationalist rhetoric
" of Belgrade.
"
We are very concerned about these tensions in northern Kosovo, the illegal barricades erected by the Kosovo Serbs must be dismantled as soon as possible
", declared during a regular press briefing the spokesman of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Affairs, Christofer Burger.
Read also“How the war in Ukraine reignited tensions in Kosovo”
Serbia does not recognize the independence of its former southern province, populated overwhelmingly by Albanians, proclaimed in 2008. It encourages the 120,000 Serbs in Kosovo to challenge the local authorities, at a time when Pristina wants to establish its sovereignty over the whole of the territory.
Several hundred Kosovo Serbs have erected roadblocks in northern Kosovo since December 10 to protest against the arrest of a former Serbian policeman, paralyzing traffic to two border crossings with Serbia.
At the beginning of November, hundreds of Serb police officers integrated into the Kosovo police, as well as judges, prosecutors and other civil servants left their posts en masse, in protest against a decision, now suspended by the Pristina government, to ban Serbs living in Kosovo to use license plates issued by Serbia.