Monitor: International comment on Russia's unexpected entry into Kosovo
All the News of the World
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."THE RUSSIANS are coming," screamed the headline of a Berlin newspaper. After a careful count, it turned out that only 200 Russians feted themselves as the peace-makers of Pristina. A propaganda coup, and something more. The Kremlin wanted to show that Russia protected the Serbs from the wrath of Albanians; that Russia, while co-operating with Nato, takes orders from nobody; and that Russia, although less powerful than she used to be, is no less self-conscious.
Bild Zeitung, Germany
THIS WEEKEND'S events in Kosovo underlined the fact that the leadership of our country has absolutely no idea of a strategy for protecting the long-term interests of Russia in Yugoslavia. As a result, Russia has virtually lost the chance to participate in Yugoslavia as a neutral and morally convincing intermediary.
Novaya Gazeta, Russia
RUSSIA'S HALF-reformed leadership looks at the Serbian withdrawal and sees red. Humiliating red because Cold War rival Nato is far more powerful. Angry red because many Russians empathize with Serbia, a Slavic nation accustomed to ethnic brutality and forced to accept Western standards. That those passions prompted this weekend's show of defiance by 200 Russian troops is a surprise only in its specifics. But the mere fact that such action would be taken is a vivid illustration of how dangerously frayed Russia's links to the West have become. For years, Western hopes have relied almost entirely on Yeltsin, who has managed - not always easily - to keep anti-Western factions under control. The weekend incursion suggests the war has weakened his hand
USA Today
THE JOY our politicians must have felt at the recent events in Kosovo could be really useful for Russia. Our politicians might actually realise that a sense of national pride is a very good thing. Now the really important issue is what relations we are going to have with Nato and whether the Russians will end up fighting with them. Then Milosevic will be really happy.
Moskovsky Komsomolets, Russia
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments