Renowned British journalist: This was Thaci-Putin meeting message

British journalist Tim Judah said Russia would benefit greatly if the outcome of the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations would be recognition of Kosovo and exchange of territories.

“Russia can use this precedent in an effort to secure similar agreements for breakaway territories under its control in Moldova - Transnistria and Georgia ʹ South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” Judah told the Beta agency.

Commenting on the Putin-Thaci meeting during the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in Paris on Sunday, Judah recalls that “in 2014, when Russia took over the Crimea, Putin cited Kosovo as precedent”. So it is logical that in the future Kosovo will be used for Russian benefit,” he added.

Judah estimated that the meeting between Thaci and Putin in Paris was a sign that Russia would support the idea of exchange of territories.

“Putin said it would support everything Serbia and Kosovo have agreed ... If it were against, I would clearly say it, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but he said it would support any agreements reached by Pristina and Belgrade, and that is the essence of what is now being discussed, “said Jude.

According to British analyst's assessment, the message sent from the Putin-Thaci meeting to Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq is: “Continue. For Putin, he added, there is full meaning to support the change of borders in Kosovo's case, especially since Russia has recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia and now has a problem with Ukraine.

“If someone could accept a change in borders, it would be the way for Putin and a way for Russia to legalise the seizure of territory from neighbouring states”, Judah said, adding that it does not believe things will go according to Putin.

He added that he should not be forgotten that Putin cares for his interests and not for Serbia's interests.