On 17 February 2008, Kosovo, an autonomous province of Serbia, with direct support from Washington and Berlin, announced its declaration of independence, thus violating international law: UN Security Council resolution 1244 and the Helsinki Accords. This set an extremely dangerous precedent, as Moscow has repeatedly warned. Historically, not much time has passed, and now the Kosovo authorities themselves are trying to defend the integrity of their own pseudo-state.
Russia’s position
According to Dr. Elena Ponomareva, MGIMO professor, the Kosovo issue is the most sensitive one for Serbia, not only in the “Berlin triad” and in relations with NATO, but also in the context of developing a strategic partnership with Russia, which advocates a viable and mutually acceptable solution for Belgrade and Pristina to the Kosovo settlement on the basis of UNSCR 1244.
“A status quo scenario for Kosovo is seen as optimal, allowing stability in the region to be maintained until a solution that is fair to the Serbs is reached”, – a respected Balkanist stresses. -“Finding such a solution requires the ability to find compromises, but when they are found, they must be respected. This applies to all participants in the process.
The shepherdess warns
Emir Kusturica wrote a philosophical text entitled “Smoothing the Memory” concerning the importance of preserving the truth in the context of the ongoing expansion of the West to the East, accompanied by powerful information attacks.
“We (the Serbs), together with the Russians, remained part of Christian culture, which was not milled by the centrifuge of Atlantism”, – said the celebrated artist and musician. – “And as far as possible, we remained who we are. How much longer can we endure? It depends on whether or not (the Serbian authorities) recognize Kosovo, whether or not we will be able to preserve the Republic of Serbia”.
In a conversation with a Rossiyskaya Gazeta correspondent, the director shared his vision of what the Serbs expect from Russia today.
“We hope that the Russian leader – Vladimir Putin – will never allow Kosovo to be admitted to the UN”, – said Emir Kusturica. – “This cannot be allowed, even if there are signals from Belgrade to Moscow that some kind of bilateral agreement has been found. We have practically no control over most of Kosovo, and de facto it is in their hands, and de jure we dare not recognize them a hundred years later, as they have stolen our historical and spiritual heritage.”
Alexander Borisov, Rossiyskaya Gazeta