Russia said on Wednesday talks over the future of Kosovo should not end on December 10, Reuters reported. "The negotiation process does not end on December 10 ... We do not see December 10 as some kind of a watershed. It is just a completion of a stage," Vladimir Chizhov, Russia's envoy to the European Union, told reporters via a video link from Brussels.
The date is the deadline for the Contact Group Troika of international mediators trying to broker a solution on Kosovo's future status to submit its report to the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.
The United States and EU, who with Russia are the parties to the talks, say the Troika should wrap up its talks by that date, a position that has put them at odds with Moscow.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians want to declare its independence by the end of this year, whether or not there is a negotiated solution by then.
Chizhov said after the Troika submits its report, "the secretary-general will decide what to do next: either to ask the troika to continue its work, or create a new format, or the Serbs and Kosovo Albanians will by then [reach an agreement]."
"There are some modest steps in this direction. At least there is direct dialogue between the Kosovo Albanians and Serbs," Chizov, a former Balkan envoy and one of Russia's most senior diplomats, told a news conference.
"It would be premature and risky to speak about a breakthrough," he said.
"But let us hope that in the time we have until December 10 enough positive elements will be accumulated and negotiations will be continued."
Talks between the Serbian authorities and Kosovo Albanians, mediated by the Troika, resume in Vienna on October 22.
Reuters reports that though they agree talks should be wrapped up by December 10, "Western powers are not united on what to do next."
The United States is pushing for a decision on Kosovo's fate soon after. The EU says the deadline stands, but is split on recognizing Kosovo without a compromise deal.
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