Russian pressure makes UN linger in Kosovo

The United Nations may stay in Kosovo after June, throwing into doubt a handover to European Union officials. Chief of the UN mission in Kosovo, Joachim Ruecker, said the mission will stay on the ground while the existing Security Council resolution on Ko

The EU agreed last year to send a 2,000-strong mission to Kosovo to maintain stability in the region, which unilaterally proclaimed independence from Serbia in February.
 
The secession caused mass rallies and violence among Kosovo Serbs, who opposed partition from Serbia.

They have also condemned the EU's deployment as illegal.  
 
The EU admits its plans are being reviewed because of Russia's strong opposition to Kosovo's independence.
 
They say Russia is using its weight on the Security Council to prevent a transition of power from the UN to the European Union.