 Russia is stoking Serbia Kosovo's tensions to distract from Ukraine. The Kremlin is stoking Serbia Kosovo's tensions to distract from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Beznik Veslimi told it. There is a tendency of Russia to deviate or distract the focus from Ukraine by opening new country zones, Veslimi told British Times Radio. Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared its independence in 2008, which Belgrade doesn't recognize, have escalated in the past week. Serbian Defense Minister Milo Zusevich announced the country's army had been placed in its highest level of combat readiness following unverified reports that Kosovo police forces had opened fire on ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo. Kosovo authorities have denied the incident took place. Moscow, a close Serbian ally, said that it supported Belgrade in the actions that are being taken. Bezlimi told the Times Radio. There is recorded evidence that people in the paramilitary are being supported by the humanitarian center, a Russian center. So I think nobody is denying the presence of Russia and the influence of Russia. And if you want more details to understand how easily Russia can use this for conflicts, the recent attacks of these troops in Kosovo started during the night. Most probably heavily drunk people inside barricades because they're being supplied with a lot of alcohol, financial incentives, and all of this from the humanitarian center. Earlier, the EU and the US called in a joint statement for maximum restraint, saying Christina and Belgrade should refrain from provocations, threats, or intimidation over rising tensions.