Sergei Lavrov has said rising tensions in Kosovo may lead to a "huge explosion" in the heart of Europe. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Russian Foreign Minister said the situation was "alarming" and warned of a major eruption in the Balkans.  

Ethnic Serbs clashed with police in northern Kosovo on Monday as they tried to prevent a newly-elected ethnic Albanian mayor from entering office.  

The violence was the latest in a string of incidents, which have sent regional tensions soaring. Serbia put its army on full alert last week, moving its units closer to the Kosovo border.  

Kosovo declared independence from old foe Serbia in 2008. Belgrade refuses to recognise the sovereignty of the Albanian-majority country to this day, though a majority of EU and NATO states do.  

Both Washington and Brussels have stepped up efforts to help solve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute, fearing further instability in Europe amid the war in Ukraine.  

The EU has made it clear to both Serbia and Kosovo they must normalise relations to advance in joining the bloc. 

(Source: Euronews)