Russia slams as cynical US position on Kosovo

Moscow, Feb 24 (UNI) Russia today dubbed cynical the US position on Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia.

The statement from the Russian foreign ministry followed remarks by US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, who earlier called Russia's stance on Kosovo as irresponsible.

''The support of one Kosovo Albanian side, negligence of law in favour of the so-called political expediency, indifference to the fates of one hundred thousand Serbs who are actually being driven into the ghetto in the 21st century are nothing else but open cynicism,'' Ria Novosti quoted a statement from the ministry.

The Kosovo parliament unilaterally adopted on February 17 a declaration on the breakaway republic's independence from Serbia. Belgrade has called the decision illegal and is demanding to cancel it. The United States and some other Western countries have recognised Kosovo's independence.

However, Russia backed ally Serbia in condemning Kosovo's declaration of independence and called for the United Nations to annul the move Serbia's prime minister said was accomplished to further US military goals.

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