Stano: Kosovo should refrain from unilateral actions, Serbia from intensifying relations with Russia

EU spokesperson Peter Stano stated today that the EU expects Serbia to refrain from intensifying its relations with Russia and to align itself with the EU's political decisions. Speaking about the actions of Pristina, Stano urged the Kosovan authorities to avoid any actions that are not coordinated with their partners, as these could contribute to the crisis and escalate the situation.

When asked about the unilateral actions of the Pristina authorities, Stano mentioned that the EU is in constant contact with the representatives of the Kosovan authorities and communicates its views and expectations to them daily.

"I will not repeat what we said in our reaction last week when an operation was carried out in northern Kosovo against Serbian institutions, but the situation is already quite unstable, and that is our main concern," Stano stated.

He emphasized that the key message to the Kosovan authorities is to avoid any unilateral actions that are not coordinated with partners and that could contribute to the crisis, tensions, or even an escalation of the situation.

He also mentioned that this message is being conveyed to the Kosovan authorities on a daily basis.

"I hope we will manage to find a solution to this situation, and that will be in the place where it belongs, which is the EU-mediated dialogue," he concluded.

When asked whether the meeting between Minister Aleksandar Vulin and Russian President Vladimir Putin would affect Serbia's negotiation process with the EU, Stano stated that the criteria for membership are fulfilled step by step.

However, he added that if Serbia's true strategic goal is EU membership, as Serbian officials clearly state, then affirming the accession process cannot happen through maintaining ties with Russia.

"Russia, under Putin's leadership, is violating international law. Serbia should refrain from intensifying its ties and contacts with Russia," Stano emphasized.

The EU expects Serbia to voluntarily refrain from intensifying its relations with Russia and for all members of the Serbian government to respect Serbia's commitment to the EU accession process, including aligning with the EU's political decisions and actions.

"Maintaining or even strengthening ties with Russia, at a time of unlawful aggression against the Ukrainian people, is not compatible with EU values and is not compatible with the negotiation process," he stated.

He added that the European Union wants to rely on all candidate countries as reliable European partners who share common principles, values, security, and progress.

Regarding Minister Vulin, Stano remarked that he appears to visit Moscow quite frequently.

"This goes against Serbia's national goal of joining the EU," he noted.