Russia:The future status of Kosovo and Russia's reliability as an energy partner for Europe dominated discussions between Russian president Vladimir Putin and German chancellor Angela Merkel last night.
At the first meeting between Ms Merkel and Mr Putin since Germany took over the EU's rotating presidency and the chairmanship of the G8 group this month, the chancellor suggested the creation of a new early warning system to prevent future energy shutdowns between Europe and Russia.
Mr Putin stressed that Serbs must not be humiliated in forthcoming UN-backed proposals about Kosovo.
The talks were held at Mr Putin's holiday home in Sochi on Russia's Black Sea coast.
While Mr Putin was on the defensive over the impact on European consumers of energy disputes with Belarus earlier this month, he was adamant that a decision on Kosovo would set a precedent for resolving other disputed territories.
His comments come ahead of the publication of a report later today from Matti Ahtisaari on the future status of Kosovo, which technically remains part of Serbia although under UN governance at present.
It is expected that Mr Ahtisaari's report will step back from offering full independence to Kosovo, a move which has been strongly opposed by Serbia.
The Russian president has recently stressed he would block any deal at the UN which he believes treats the Serbs unfairly.
"If in Kosovo, we resolve this issue, then it must be universal," he said, pointing out that the solution must not ignore problems of territorial integrity.
In the past, Russian officials have linked the future status of Russian-speaking breakaway regions in Georgia and Moldova with the precedent established in Kosovo.
Changing borders could also affect other European countries where there are problems with separatism, Mr Putin said, though he didn't name any.
Chancellor Merkel stressed her support for a solution to Kosovo through the UN.
She also raised energy concerns with Mr Putin, calling for a special alert system to be incorporated into a new agreement between the EU and Russia, which may be finalised later this year.
Mr Putin stressed that Russia wants to be a reliable energy partner and that it has now introduced market principles to its relations with countries like Belarus and Ukraine, where two separate rows have led to the temporary halt of oil and gas supplies to western Europe.