Russia may block Kosovo's U.N. nod

MOSCOW, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Russia should "use every opportunity" to block the United Nations' acceptance of Kosovo's imminent independence, a senior Russian lawmaker said.

"Russia should use every opportunity at its disposal to block Kosovo's admission to the U.N. as an independent state," said Konstantin Kosachyov, head of the international affairs committee of the lower house of the Russian Parliament.

Kosachyov said the backing of the move by Kosovo at the Council of Europe would suggest the organization was taking "a political stance," which he described as "inappropriate," RIA Novosti relayed Monday.

The declaration of independence also would impact Russia's "developing relations with other self-proclaimed republics," he said.

On Sunday, Serbia narrowly re-elected the pro-European incumbent president, Boris Tadic, and analysts suggest his victory would signal an imminent declaration of independence from Kosovo.