Moscow. September 27. INTERFAX-The aggravation of the situation around Kosovo may escalate into an armed conflict between Belgrade and Pristina, according to the former head of the main department of international military cooperation of the Russian Defense Ministry, retired Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov.
"The probability of a conflict, including military operations, is very high. Everything now will depend on the international community, "Ivashov, who in the past was engaged, among other things, in resolving the situation in the Balkans, told Interfax on Monday.
"If the Serbs get involved in the conflict, it will be with only one goal - to liberate Kosovo and return it to Serbia. The Kosovars want to stake out this region for themselves forever and oust as many Serbs as possible," Ivashov said.
According to him, "with this conflict, neither Serbia nor Kosovo will be able to join NATO."
Ivashov said that Washington may be interested in aggravating the situation around Kosovo. "It is always easier for Americans to deal with a Europe that is in conflict within itself," he said. Ivashov recalled that one of the largest American military bases in Europe, Bondsteel, is located in Kosovo.
The command of the NATO-led international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) has increased the number of patrols amid the aggravation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing Serbian media.
"KFOR is closely monitoring the situation throughout Kosovo and is focused on fulfilling its mandate. KFOR has increased the number and duration of patrols throughout Kosovo, including the northern part of Kosovo, " the forces said in a statement quoted by the media.
A sharp escalation of tension between the parties occurred last week, when Kosovo banned the entry of cars with Serbian license plates without a temporary printed registration. In response, Serbs living in the north of Kosovo blocked roads near border crossings, then Kosovo deployed special police units to two border crossings.
The Serbian army has begun exercises near the border with Kosovo. Serbian Air Force planes began patrolling areas near border crossings.
The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrel, earlier called on Belgrade and Pristina to take measures without preconditions to stabilize the situation in northern Kosovo.
