Russia demands U.N. Kosovo chief be punished

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia demanded disciplinary action against the head of the United Nations mission in Kosovo on Thursday for preparing to hand over powers to a European Union mission that Moscow says is illegal.

Russia's foreign ministry made the demand on the same day NATO chiefs met to try and iron out problems over the international security presence in Kosovo, which announced its secession from Serbia this year.

Russia opposes the recognition of Kosovo's independence and says the UN mission, which provides policing and other support, cannot handover to an EU mission because the UN Security Council has not approved the move.

Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement it was "seriously concerned" by reports that Joachim Ruecker, the German head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), was taking steps to close the mission.

"What we are talking about is scandalous obstinacy which should be decisively stopped," said the statement, which was posted on the foreign ministry's Internet site www.mid.ru.

"We proceed from the assumption that disciplinary measures, up to his dismissal, will be taken with regard to J. Ruecker."

"It is obvious that any actions with regard to UNMIK, or a changing in the format of the international presence in Kosovo, are only possible on the basis of a decision of the U.N. Security Council," the ministry said.

Russia is a historical ally of Serbia and argues that recognizing Kosovo's independence could open a Pandora's Box of separatist movements across Europe.

It used its veto in the Security Council to block a U.N. plan to grant Kosovo independence, but the secession from Serbia went ahead anyway, with backing from the United States and major European powers.

The deployment of the 2,200-strong EU police mission to Kosovo is facing months of delays. Disagreements among NATO members have also held up plans for the alliance to train Kosovo's own armed force.

(Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Jon Boyle)