NATO chief, too, has message about Kosovo army

The NATO secretary general said on Wednesday that NATO (foreign ministers) at their meeting discussed Kosovo's intention to transform the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) into an "army."

"Such a step is coming at a wrong time," he said.

He stressed that NATO supports the KSF in the current mandate and that any transformation must happen in accordance with the (Kosovo) Constitution.

"What they have announced now is happening without consulting NATO allies and other countries, as well as without an inclusive process in Kosovo itself," said Stoltenberg.

He reiterated that, if the KPS mandate were to "evolve" - NATO would "have to reconsider its level of engagement in Kosovo."

Stoltenberg also assessed that the (100 percent) tariffs imposed by Pristina on goods from Serbia make the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina "even more difficult."

"We encourage Belgrade and Pristina to refrain from provocative steps and statements and to make the necessary compromises in order to move towards a better future," Stoltenberg concluded.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry also reacted to the announcements coming out of Pristina, condemning them as provocative, and in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.