Moscow reacts to Kosovo President decision expelling two Russian diplomats

English

Gazeta Express

22/10/2021 20:51

Russian embassy in Belgrade told TASS news agency on Friday that decision of Kosovo to expel two Russian diplomats has no legal force.

“We don’t recognize Kosovo’s ‘independence,’ hence, we don’t recognize its ‘government’ and other ‘structures.’ None of Pristina’s decisions have legal force for us. We cooperate with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), including on this matter, on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244,” the embassy said.

“We consider attempts to hamper Russian diplomats accredited at the UNMIK to carry out their lawful activities that are entirely within the framework of international law as absolutely unacceptable,” the embassy said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani declared personae non grata two Russian diplomats from the Russian liaison office in pristina. According to Osmani, the activities of these diplomats allegedly “adversely impacted national security and the constitutional order” in Kosovo.