Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Wednesday that any lasting solution on the status of Kosovo had to take into account the best interests of both sides, Kosovo and Serbia.
"We believe that any resolution, any solution of this issue which is not based on a balanced outcome of the negotiations, an outcome which is acceptable for both parties, would not be sustainable," he told reporters in Stockholm following talks with his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt.
A solution that did not have both sides' approval "could be very risky for the Balkans, for other parts of Europe," he said.
On Tuesday, the countries of the Contact Group on Kosovo met without Russia -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States -- and renewed their backing for a UN plan that would give de facto independence to the Serbian province.
Serbia refuses to give up control of the majority ethnic-Albanian province and has the support of traditional ally Russia.
Lavrov regretted that Russia was not invited to Tuesday's meeting.
"If this format was chosen to bypass Russia's position ... then we leave this on the conscience of those who met in the format of the quintet," Lavrov said.
Earlier Wednesday, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin accused the West of deciding on Kosovo behind Russia's back.
"Secret discussions rather suggest a preparation of unilateral scenarios for Kosovo independence," he said.
The Contact Group consists of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United States.
