The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani has voiced her concerns against a possible involvement of Russia in the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
On Monday, Osmani stated that Russia’s involvement in the dialogue would be a step backwards.
“In 2010, when the [UN General] Assembly decided on how to proceed with the dialogue, it absolutely opposed a format in which Russia is involved. If we go back to formats in which Russia has had a voice and a role, I believe we would be going backwards. I can’t see Russia’s involvement in this process as necessary, even less so as helpful. Russia has proven that its goal in the Balkans is to destabilize the region. This is an issue that the EU should take seriously,” Osmani stated.
Earlier this month, Russia’s ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan Kharcenko stated that Russia’s involvement in mediating a Kosovo-Serbia deal alongside the US and EU would depend on Belgrade’s request.
He added that the “partition of Kosovo” can only be agreed by Pristina and Belgrade, and once Serbia has accepted it, the settlement must be confirmed by the UN Security Council in the form of a new resolution.
The office of the U.S. envoy Richard Grenell replied that “everyone is welcome to contribute with ideas that would help stability, peace and prosperity in Serbia and Kosovo.”
