Putin Says Kosovo Status Threatens European Peace

Vladimir Putin (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) July 27, 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says granting Kosovo independence would threaten peace in Europe.

Speaking at a Kremlin ceremony today, Putin said that in opposing Kosovo's independence, Serbia is defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Putin added that peace in Europe cannot be maintained "without taking into account the fundamental principles of international law."

Facing the threat of a Russian veto, the United States and its European allies on July 20 withdrew a UN resolution that would have given Kosovo internationally supervised independence.

(Reuters, ITAR-TASS)