Kosovo–Russia relations

Kosovo and Russia do not have official relations due to Russia's support for Serbia in the Kosovo issue. However, the relationship between the two nations has been relatively cold, although relations have been warming in recent years.

For more information, see Russia–Serbia relations § Kosovo_issue.
Kosovo–Russia relations
Map indicating locations of Kosovo and Russia

Kosovo
Russia

History
See also: Russia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

Following the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence, Russia immediately took a pro-Serbian stance, and strongly opposed to the independence of Kosovo.[1][2] Opposition against Kosovo's independence since then have been remained even after the end of Vladimir Putin's first term as Russian President.[3]

On 19 February 2009, in response to Hashim Thaçi's information that Russia is planning the recognition of Kosovo.[4] The Minister Lavrov responded on the following day by saying "I think Mr. Thaci is indulging in wishful thinking... Mr. Thaci is the last person to make statements on behalf of the Russian Federation" and that "When discussing the problem of Kosovo, the Russian side confirms that our position remains the same and supports the settlement of this problem in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1244. Our support for Serbia's course of action in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity also stays firm".[5]

Russian ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Konuzin told a Belgrade daily in June 2009 that "Russia's stand is rather simple — we are ready to back whatever position Serbia takes (with regards to Kosovo)."[6] Russia has maintained its critical anti-Kosovo independence stance as for 2010s and continue to see it illegal.[7][8]

In March 2014, Russia used Kosovo's declaration of independence as a justification for recognizing the independence of Crimea, citing the so-called "Kosovo independence precedent".[9][10]

The poor relations between two have impacted on the UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qualifying, when Russia women's national football team and Kosovo women's national football team could not meet due to security reasons, and have to play in a selected neutral ground.[11]

Cultural ties

Despite there has been no official relationship between two nations due to Russia's alliance with Serbia, thaws in relationship through cultural endeavours have started to be witnessed.

Russia had agreed to allow Kosovo to participate in the 2014 World Judo Championships hosted in Chelyabinsk, in this competition, Kosovo-born Majlinda Kelmendi won Kosovo's historic gold medal in the competition.[12] She later managed to repeat the feat, once again in Russia during the 2016 European Judo Championships, this time in Kazan, which has been greeted with joy by many Albanians as a diplomatic victory toward Russia's open opposition to Kosovo's independence.[13]

Other than judo, Russia also permitted Kosovo to participate in the 2015 World Aquatics Championships, which was considered as an exception.[14]

In 2020 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification, the under-19 teams of Russia and Kosovo met for the first time in their opening game, despite no official relations between two nations. The game ended 1–1.[15]

Era Istrefi, a Kosovo-born singer, was permitted to perform the song Live It Up in the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia, was another sign of the increase of cultural ties between two countries.[16]

In September 2020, Kosovo and Serbia agreed for economic normalisation with Donald Trump brokering. Though Russia has openly supported Serbia over Kosovo and has still maintained it, Russia also welcomed the normalisation between two nations, signalling another thaw in problematic Kosovan–Russian relations.[17][18]

See also

References
  1. Statement by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kosovo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, 2008-02-17
  2. "Putin calls Kosovo independence 'terrible precedent'". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2008-02-23. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  3. "Medvedev pledges support for Serbia". Al Jazeera. 2008-02-25. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  4. Thaçi: Russia will recognize Kosovo, New Kosova Report, 2009-02-19
  5. Russia not getting ready to recognize Kosovo – Lavrov, RIA Novosti, 2009-02-20
  6. Ambassador underlines Russian backing, B92, 2009-06-12
  7. Kosovo između Rusije i Amerike, RTS, 2009-12-08 (in Serbian)
  8. Россия поддержала позицию Сербии по Косово в Международном суде, RIA Novosti, 2009-12-08 (in Russian)
  9. "Address by President of the Russian Federation". Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  10. "Why the Kosovo "precedent" does not justify Russia's annexation of Crimea". Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
  11. "Uefa will not allow Russia-Kosovo games" – via www.bbc.com.
  12. "Majlinda Kelmendi and Masashi Ebinuma prolong world title". www.judoinside.com.
  13. "Kelmendi Wins Kosovo its First Olympic Gold". August 8, 2016.
  14. "Kosovo makes its world swimming titles debut". www.aljazeera.com.
  15. LiveScore, SofaScore com. "Russia U19 Kosovo U19 live score, video stream and H2H results - SofaScore". www.sofascore.com.
  16. "Era Istrefi to perform World Cup song in Russia". May 22, 2018.
  17. "Russia comfirms it fully back Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo". GREEK CITY TIMES.
  18. Teslova, Elena (September 9, 2020). "Russia welcomes Serbia, Kosovo economic normalization". ANADOLU AGENCY.
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