Moscow stands by Serbia's side and condemns Kosovo's decision

Moscow does not discuss Serbia's possible CSTO membership. Russia does not consider the signing of a friendship agreement between Belgrade and Moscow either, as was the case with the DPR and LPR, Kremlin's official spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Kosovo's plans to pass the law to abolish Serbian documents on the territory of the self-proclaimed republic and demand re-registration of cars to Kosovo license plates are absolutely absurd, Putin's official spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"We absolutely support Serbia, we stand close to the Kosovo Serbs. We believe that these are absolutely absurd requirements. Thank God, it was possible to avoid an escalation at night, but this situation was only postponed for one month,” he said.

According to Peskov, in the current situation, "it is very important to show prudence on all sides.” In this context, the Kremlin supports "calls for peace and constructivism,” which were voiced by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

"We believe that the countries that recognized Kosovo are guarantors and they should use all their influence to warn the Kosovo authorities against taking ill-considered steps that could escalate tensions further. Of course, we want all the rights of the Serbs to be respected,” the Kremlin spokesman added.

Peskov was also asked whether the Kremlin considered it possible for Serbia to join the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) or sign an agreement on friendship, cooperation and military assistance between Belgrade and Moscow, as was the case with the DPR and LPR (Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic).

"Honestly, this issue was not on the agenda. You know that we have allied, very deep relations with Serbia. Of course, our relations will continue to develop, and the legal framework will develop, but I can't say now whether such elements are going to be present,” the spokesman replied.

At the end of July, the Kosovo authorities announced that Serbian documents would be considered null and void on the Kosovo-controlled territory from August. For those Serbs who want to visit Kosovo, a temporary certificate will be issued for up to 90 days at the entrance. In addition, Kosovo will launch mandatory re-registration of cars with Serbian license plates to RKS (Republic of Kosovo).

On July 31, Serbian President Vucic announced that the Kosovo police would begin a military operation against the Serbs living in the north of the partially recognized republic of Kosovo at midnight on August 1. Later the same day, air raid sirens went off in Serbian-populated areas of Kosovo. Residents of North Mitrovica (the northern part of the city is controlled by Serbian forces, the southern part — by Kosovo) started gathering in the city center. Albanians took to the streets in the southern part of the city. The Serbs began to build barricades.

Against the background of the escalation, Kosovo postponed the adoption of the law on the non-recognition of Serbian documents.