Karchenko: This foolish request for Serbia to recognise Kosovo

Pristina's request for Serbia to recognise Kosovo is “undertaken”, and anyone who understands reality knows it is impossible, Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Bocan Kharchenko said.

He stressed that the European Union must pressure Kosovo to implement all provisions of signed agreements, especially the founding of the Union of Serbian Communities, which Russia insists on, because this is the most important and only way to continue dialogue, reports N1.

We support dialogue, there is no other way. We are not satisfied with the state of dialogue and lack of progress”, Bocan Kharchenko said.

Commenting on Serbia's European integration, he stressed that words or statements against that process have never come from Russia, while from the European Union, according to him, often messages have come that Russia is obstructing Serbia's path.

Bocan Kharchenko added that Russia supports Serbia's declared military neutrality because it said it provides stability and is firmly against membership in the Alliance, especially when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He also called for the abolition of the International Community High Representative in BiH.

The state of political relations between Serbia and Russia, Bocan Kharchenko, described it as more than satisfactory because they have strategic character.

Serbia joins the UN together with Russia and always supports it in preventing various resolutions trying to review history, defend UN principles and disagree with the invention of rules made by several countries, so that these rules can define international law and activities instead of the UN Charter. That friendly and brotherly co-operation is also on the Kosovo issue”, he has stressed.

“Economic co-operation is also strategic, we are building relations with Serbia on the basis of mutual interest, has a bilateral partnership and respect relationship both in economic and energy relations”, Bocan Kharchenko said.

The Russian ambassador estimated that trade between the two countries would soon reach the level before the pandemic explosion more than $3 billion, and the real purpose and opportunity is four billion.