Serbian President asked the Russian ambassador to Belgrade on Tuesday to warn Moscow and President Vladimir Putin that "someone seems to be deliberately pushing Serbia and the region into a conflict," the Beta news agency reported.

“Serbia is not causing instability, but constant provocation will put us into a hopeless situation in which we have to protect the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia must not allow the persecution of its people,” President Aleksandar Vucic was quoted as telling the Russian envoy.

The President's office said Vucic expressed Serbia’s grave concern over Kosovo's announcement of creating an army, which would breach the UN Security Council 1244 Resolution from 1999. 

The UN's document authorised an international civil and military presence in the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and established the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.

According to the President's office, Chepurin said the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is a long-lasting problem which requires a rational solution, beneficial for all.

Chepurin also said Moscow was closely following the developments concerning the situation in Kosovo.

Before meeting Chepurin, Vucic had talks with the Chinese ambassador to Belgrade  Li Manchang whom he asked to inform Beijing on the situation Serbia was facing regarding Pristina's moves.