US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken blamed the authorities of Kosovo, which has unilaterally announced its withdrawal from Serbia, for the recent escalation of tension in the region.
Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday: “We call on all parties to take urgent action to reduce the escalation. We condemn the unacceptable violence against members of the NATO forces in Kosovo (KFOR) that took place yesterday, as well as against security personnel and journalists.”
Blinken considered that the decision of the Pristina authorities to use force to ensure the access of the mayors of the north of the region to the administrative headquarters “led to a sharp and unjustified escalation of tension.”
He added that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti should ensure that elected mayors carry out their duties from other buildings.
Blinken urged Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to withdraw the order to put the Serbian army on alert and call on Serbs in Kosovo to refrain from clashes with KFOR forces and violence.
He stressed that Belgrade and Pristina should “immediately commit themselves to resuming the dialogue”, which is being conducted between them under the auspices of the European Union.
Source: TASS
