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Russia’s envoy to UN warns of army formation in Kosovo

Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vladimir Safronkov said that the situation in Kosovo is deteriorating

UNITED NATIONS, May 15. /TASS/. Russia has warned the UN Security Council of dangerous consequences of security forces’ transformation into a full-fledged army in Kosovo. Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vladimir Safronkov said on Monday that the situation in Kosovo is deteriorating as ‘hotheads’ will inevitably use those armed forces against the Serbian population of the region.

"According to our estimates, the situation in Kosovo is not stabilizing, on the contrary, it is worsening. Negative factors are being stored up. The recent developments require a constructive diplomatic involvement and an exacting international control, first of all through the US Mission in Kosovo," the diplomat said, mentioning the lack of progress in the investigation into the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, the leader of Freedom, Democracy and Truth party in northern Kosovo and Metohija, that happened four months ago.

Amid this background, Pristina is "cultivating a feeling of impunity and permissiveness." "Contrary to the 1244 Resolution of the UN Security Council, transformation of the current security forces of Kosovo into a full-fledged army is being prepared. Certain NATO’s contingents within the Kosovo Force facilitate it, going outside the framework of the UN mandate," he said.

"We would like to warn that it is necessary to stop the formation of this ‘fist’, which certain ‘hotheads’ will inevitably use against the Serbian people in the region’s north, in order to maintain peace and security in the Balkans," Safronkov emphasized.

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