Prishtinë, 25 October 2006 - KosovoNews - Koha Ditore’s Brussels-based correspondent reports that in the last couple of days Western countries and Russia have exchanged many diplomatic notes, positions and messages, offers and proposals, remarks and friendly advice. The aim of all this is to create a more relaxed atmosphere between Russia and the European Union and to create predictable trade relations.

The author notes that the West is facing a dilemma: can Russia “not approve” a status of Kosovo that is unacceptable for Belgrade be seen as an opposition to the status or only an indication that Russia will
abstain at the United Nations Security Council and not use the right of veto.

The paper’s correspondent quotes diplomatic sources saying that Kosovo is a topic that is mentioned in almost every meeting the EU officials have with Russian representatives.

“Putin and Russian diplomats have a way of using their entire arsenal in the discussions. They are now using Kosovo more than ever. This is perhaps because the time of decisions for Kosovo status is approaching or because of Russia interests in the conflict with Tbilisi,” the paper quoted an unnamed diplomat as saying.

Another diplomat thinks that Russia’s rhetoric on Kosovo is nothing new and that Russia always behaves in the same manner about the issues in the Balkans.

“Moscow wants to keep the feeling that Russia is still important in all the developments around the world including the Balkans,” the source said adding that in practice, with all the rhetoric in the media, Russia never ruined plans and in fact was sometimes quite helpful in the Balkans.

Other diplomats think that the Russian engagement carried a toll for the missions in Kosovo because UN SC Resolution 1244 specifies that the Security Council will have the final say on the status of Kosovo thus providing Russia the opportunity of being a decisive element in the process and also having the right to use the veto.

Paper writes that being aware that the decisions in the SC can pass even without the ‘consent’ of all the countries with the veto right, some western diplomats point out that Russia did not say it would oppose any decision but merely that it will not give its consent.

International diplomats mention the possibility of a UN decision which would explicitly mention independence of Kosovo, but at the same time would enable all EU and NATO countries to individually recognize independence.

“This way, Russia would not be immediately obliged to recognize this independence,” the paper writes.

Another possibility mentioned by the Western diplomats is that Moscow, by giving hopes to Belgrade that it will prevent independence of Kosovo, tries to keep Serbia as far as possible from the West. These diplomats say Moscow is not overly delighted by the increased military cooperation between Serbia and the USA.