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Situation in Kosovo, Metohija tense, on brink of violence — Serbian president

Earlier in the day, Vucic said that Belgrade’s talks with Pristina on the problem of license plates in northern Kosovo had yielded no result

BELGRADE, November 21. /TASS/. Following the failure of talks in Brussels, the situation in Kosovo and Metohija is very tense, and is on the brink of fighting, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday.

"The situation in Kosovo is tense, literally on the verge of confrontation. I am calling on the Western community to use their influence on Pristina to help us preserve peace," he said in an address to the nation aired by Serbia’s RTS television channel.

"Serbia will stay committed to peace. And I will tell our people in Kosovo and Metohija that we will spare no effort to ensure their security. If anyone thinks that they can uproot or kill our people, I will repeat with the utmost gravity: we will stay side by side with our Serb people and will not abandon them. We will safeguard peace and stability, but the Serbs should know that their country and international law are behind them," Vucic stressed.

Earlier in the day, Vucic said that Belgrade’s talks with Pristina on the problem of license plates in northern Kosovo had yielded no result.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told a news conference after a meeting of the European Council on November 14 that delegates from Belgrade and Pristina would hold EU-brokered talks in Brussels. He said that a solution must be found before November 29 to avoid a serious crisis.

On November 5, Kosovo and Metohija Serbs quitted all government institutions of unrecognized Kosovo after the Kosovo authorities had decided to fine those who did not change their Serbian license plates starting November 22. Fines will amount to 150 euros. After April 21, 2023, when the transition period is over, the Kosovo police will be authorized to seize cars with Serbian plates.

Military operation in Ukraine

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