Russia could be a mediator in Serbia’s talks with Kosovo, state Duma says

The negotiation process, as a way to resolve the conflict, always has a future, and if the two sides can not agree, you need to involve a third – in the case of a dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, such a party could potentially become Russia, said Deputy Chairman of the state Duma Committee on international Affairs Alexey Chepa.

Earlier, Kosovo’s parliamentary elections were won by the radical self-Determination party, its leader Albin Kurti, considered a likely future Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Republic. The Serbian government called their victory a threat to the security of the entire Balkan region. As German Chancellor Angela Merkel noted, the process of rapprochement between Belgrade and Pristina, initiated by Germany and France, has been interrupted, it should be returned to after the elections in Kosovo.

“Negotiations always have a future, dialogue is always necessary, and only through dialogue can these issues be resolved. If bilateral dialogues do not work, it is necessary to involve other negotiators who will help to avoid sharp corners. Russia can become such a potential negotiator”, –  Chepa told RIA Novosti when asked about Russia’s possible role in the negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina.

The MP also suggested that at the recent meeting of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the topic of elections in Kosovo and the possibility of resuming dialogue between the two countries could be raised, perhaps Belgrade even appealed to Moscow for support.

“Given the current alignment of forces, Russia can undoubtedly have a certain impact on the support of our Orthodox brothers”, – the deputy added.