"Serbian police have right to be in Kosovo; where are they?"

"We are in favor of a solution in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244," Putin, whose country does not recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence made by ethnic Albanians in 2008, said in Belgrade on Wednesday.

Addressing a joint news conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, he added that "the latsest moves of Pristina - the introduction of taxes (on goods from central Serbia) and the creation of the Kosovo army, have caused serious tension."

"Russia shares the concern of Serbian leadership and citizens because these moves can lead to a destabilization of the Balkans," Putin added.

Russia, like Serbia, is interested in keeping the Balkans stable and safe, Putin said.

Kosovo authorities have undertaken some provocative actions that have further exacerbated the situation, Putin said, citing an example of Pristina's decision to form an army, which, he said, was a violation of UNSC Resolution 1244.

"This resolution does not allow the existence of any armed formations in Kosovo other than the contingency of the United Nations. We share the concern of Serbia because we know that such moves lead to instability in the Balkans. Our support will continue," he said.

Asked about the frequent talk about Russia's mediation in the Kosovo dialogue and whether that could occur, Putin said that Russia has always actively participated, but, he noted, the EU is the mediator.

"The EU is the mediator, but it is not achieving much," he remarked, adding that what has been agreed so far is not being implemented and, in that context, particularly emphasized the fact that the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) in Kosovo has not yet been formed.

The Russian...