“Russia is determined not to resolve the Kosovo issue”

So has made it known about Radio Free Europe in Russia, Maxim Samorukov, deputy director of the “Carnegie” Centre in Moscow, which deals with studies in domestic and foreign policy, international relations, international security and the economy, broadcast news.net.

According to Samorukov, when it comes to Russia's ambitions of involvement in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the official Kremlin has an interest in not resolving this issue and that Russian officials' statements on reaching a final solution can be seen as unclear.

“Russia, as in other conflicts in the Western Balkans, does not want the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo resolved. Russia's support at this time is essential for Serbia, mainly because of the situation in Kosovo. Serbia needs Russia internationally and its power in the United Nations to prevent full recognition of Kosovo. Once the conflict is resolved, Russia will no longer be as attractive to Serbia. But so far, we have seen so many problems and obstacles in the way Russia practically doesn't have to do much to prevent it”, Samorukov said, broadcast the news further.net.

He stressed that in that sense, statements coming from Russian officials are unclear. On the one hand according to Samorukov, Russia says it is ready to support any acceptable solution for Serbia, but on the other hand says it must be based on UN Resolution 1244, which undermines Kosovo's independence.

And it's with this uncertainty, as Samorukov says, Russia wants to show Serbia that the Kremlin, in fact, does not approve Serbia to recognise Kosovo.

But I certainly wouldn't say that Russia is the main obstacle to resolving this conflict. There are many obstacles at the local level and there is a long way to reach a final agreement, so Russia can rest because the final solution does not seem to be near”, Samorukov.

He emphasises that the Western Balkans is not a priority for Russia and that it is not willing to invest much money or effort in the region, but that does not want the West in the Balkans either.

The geopolitical noise in which the region is currently located is ideal for Russia. This does not mean complete stabilisation, nor total destabilisation, but something between them. Russia does not want frozen conflicts in the Balkans resolved because frozen conflicts keep the Western Balkans away NATO and the European Union, but Russia also does not want those conflicts to become active, because it also has its own red line”, Samorukov stressed in this interview.