(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 10 APR - There are 84 countries that recognize Kosovo's independence, out of the total 193 member states of the United Nations. This was said today by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who said that a possible request for Pristina's admission to the UN would be subject to a vote of the Security Council, in which Russia and China -- permanent member countries and both opposed to Kosovo's independence --have veto rights. On the number of countries that recognize Kosovo there is disagreement between Belgrade and Pristina, with the Kosovar leadership talking of more than 100 states that have recognized independence. In recent years, however, Serbia, thanks to a massive diplomatic campaign exerted mainly on small states in Africa and Asia, has had its recognition of Pristina's independence withdrawn by some 20 countries, which have decided to wait for the conclusion of the ongoing negotiations between the parties under the auspices of the EU.

A change of position that is contested in numerous instances by Pristina. In statements to private Serbian TV station Prva, Dacic confirmed Belgrade's no to sanctions against Russia, reiterating how behind the decision was a desire to defend Serbia's national interests, which, she noted, nevertheless condemned the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Should Belgrade decide on sanctions, Dacic said she did not believe in a change in Moscow's position on Kosovo, although, she noted, this would cause a change in relations between Serbia and Russia. (ANSA).