§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Prime Minister if the Government received prior communication from Russian sources of an intent to occupy areas of strategic importance in Kosovo independently of NATO. [87300]
§ The Prime MinisterWe and NATO have long made clear that we looked forward to a substantial Russian contribution to KFOR, the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo. Russia did not notify NATO in advance that it intended to deploy a small unit to Pristina airfield but, as the commander of KFOR has explained, this Russian unit had not affected either the deployment of NATO forces or the implementation of the Kosovo peace agreement. NATO is working with Russia on detailed command and control arrangements for Russian forces in KFOR.