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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Russia links Kosovo with Georgia | Russia links Kosovo with Georgia |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Russia has indicated it may change its policy towards breakaway regions in Georgia if the West recognises the independence of Kosovo. | Russia has indicated it may change its policy towards breakaway regions in Georgia if the West recognises the independence of Kosovo. |
| Moscow has repeatedly hinted it could recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia if Kosovo separates from Serbia. | Moscow has repeatedly hinted it could recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia if Kosovo separates from Serbia. |
| The foreign ministry said Moscow would "take into account" developments in Kosovo, but did not say how. | The foreign ministry said Moscow would "take into account" developments in Kosovo, but did not say how. |
| Kosovo may declare independence this weekend, and the US and most EU states are expected to recognise it quickly. | Kosovo may declare independence this weekend, and the US and most EU states are expected to recognise it quickly. |
| Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci is expected to say later on Friday that the declaration of independence will be made on 17 February, the AFP reports quoting a source in Mr Thaci's office. | Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci is expected to say later on Friday that the declaration of independence will be made on 17 February, the AFP reports quoting a source in Mr Thaci's office. |
| Serbia earlier urged the UN Security Council to oppose Kosovo's expected move. | Serbia earlier urged the UN Security Council to oppose Kosovo's expected move. |
| Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Belgrade would not use force to stop the secession of the southern province but warned that allowing it would give a green light to other separatist movements. | Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Belgrade would not use force to stop the secession of the southern province but warned that allowing it would give a green light to other separatist movements. |
| De facto independent | De facto independent |
| "We will, without doubt, have to take into account a declaration and recognition of Kosovo independence in connection with the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. | |
| The statement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met the leaders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Moscow. | The statement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met the leaders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Moscow. |
| Most people in Georgia's two breakaway republics, which have enjoyed de facto independence since the early 1990s, already have Russian citizenship. | Most people in Georgia's two breakaway republics, which have enjoyed de facto independence since the early 1990s, already have Russian citizenship. |
| Tbilisi accuses Moscow of supporting both regions, in order to undermine its own attempts to build a strong and independent nation state. | Tbilisi accuses Moscow of supporting both regions, in order to undermine its own attempts to build a strong and independent nation state. |
| Russia denies the accusations. | Russia denies the accusations. |