PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo marked its first week of independence in quiet celebration Sunday, as angry Serbs protested in the fledgling nation’s tense north and in capitals across Europe.
The Russian envoy to NATO, meanwhile, unleashed a torrent of criticism on countries that recognized Kosovo’s split from ally Serbia, including the United States.
Up to 1,000 people protested peacefully in the ethnically divided northern town of Kosov ska Mitrovica.
Protesters at the demonstration — the smallest in seven days of rallies — listened to a Serbian rock band playing on a stage decorated with a poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a sign reading: “Russia Help!”
Russia has staunchly supported Serbia’s resistance and has declared Kosovo’s independence illegal. Putin’s likely successor, First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedyev, planned to visit the Serbian capital, Belgrade, today.
Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo remained jubilant with their new status.
“People keep celebrating every night,” Artan Dedushaj said. “This is something that all Albanians have waited centuries for — and changes will come soon.”
Thousands of Serbs held demonstrations in European capitals Sunday. In Vienna, more than 5,000 protesters waved pro-Serbia banners, and a few burned, spat or stomped on American flags.
In Geneva, up to 4,000 people gathered peacefully outside U.N. offices, and in Brussels, Belgium, several hundred Serbs chanted “Kosovo is Serbia” outside European Union offices.
Russia’s ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, said Sunday on Russian television that Kosovo’s independence bid was a result of an imperialistic U.S. effort to “divide and rule,” which would lead to Russia’s boosting its military to ensure its own security.
