Kosovo about to Declare Independence?

Foul-mouthed and opinionated blogger The Exile, who whines about the plight of the British working class while sipping Negra Modelo in the sunshine of Mexico City, posted a pretty terrifying quote from Yuri Baluyevsky, Chief of General Staff at the Kremlin.

"We do not intend to attack anyone, but we consider it necessary for all our partners in the world community to clearly understand that to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its allies, military forces will be used, including preventively, including with the use of nuclear weapons."

What is Yuri talking about?

Well, doubtless he's referring to Kosovo's imminent declaration of independence. With the Serbian presidential election set February 3rd, the province of Kosovo is poised to declare their independence should nationalist candidate Tomislav Nikolić win.

Tomislav Nikolić took over leadership of the nationalist Serbian Radical Party when former leader Vojislav Šešelj left for The Hague, to face charges of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity.

If Tomislav Nikolić defeats moderate incumbent Boris Tadić, things will look bleak for the war torn province of Kosovo. It seems wise to strike out for independence while there's still a UN presence to protect them from Serbian retaliation.

But Yuri Baluyevsky's words are worrying. While most of the UN supports Kosovo's pleas for independence, Russia is highly skeptical of granting them freedom from Serbian oppression.

Not because of any concern or comradeship with the people of Serbia. Simply because Kosovo's UN-supported independence would throw an awkward spotlight on Russia's brutal treatment of breakaway provinces within their own nation.

If Baluyevsky is to be taken seriously, Russia might commit supplies, support, troops and even nuclear weapons to prevent Kosovo from achieving it's well-deserved independence.

It's a very thinly veiled threat of war - and the UN might well be left with no option but to call their bluff -or else back down and let vile vulture Vladimir Putin bully democracy into submission.