MOSCOW, November 12. /TASS/. Leader of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo Hashim Thaci held a brief conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Paris, as he himself wrote on Twitter.

"In Paris, I met President Putin, focusing on dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia for a comprehensive, binding agreement. On this topic, President Putin was clear: ‘If you (Kosovo and Serbia) achieve a peaceful agreement, Russia will support it’," the tweet reads.

Thaci also tweeted a photo of himself and the Russian leader.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin made no announcements about the meeting.

Putin’s agenda for his November 11 visit to Paris included events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, while no bilateral talks were planned. However, the Kremlin did not rule out that Putin might hold brief meetings with other participants in the Paris celebrations. Such meetings could particularly take place during a working lunch at the Elysee Palace.

Kosovo issue

Serbia’s autonomous province of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in February 2008. In 2010, its independence was recognized by the International Court of Justice (CIJ). Kosovo claims to have been recognized by 117 countries so far, while Serbia says Kosovo enjoys the support of 105 nations. More than 60 countries, including Russia, China, India, Israel and five EU member states, oppose Kosovo’s independence.

Over the past several months, Belgrade and Pristina have been actively discussing a compromise solution related to border changes and an exchange of territories. The United States backs this idea, insisting that a final deal should be reached on changing the borders of Serbia and the unrecognized republic. German Chancellor Angela Merkel opposes border changes in the Balkan region, stressing that all regional states have the prospect of joining the European Union.