Russia is to provide humanitarian aid to Serbian enclaves in Kosovo. Outgoing President Vladimir Putin has asked Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov to oversee the issue when meeting with government members on Monday.

The aid will be provided following a request from the Serbian government, which is concerned by the humanitarian situation in Kosovo. Serbia's leadership has asked for medicines, medical equipment, food and hygiene products.

Putin said humanitarian aid will be provided without political motivation.

“If we take a look at the humanitarian issue we should be guided by the principle that all residents of Serbian enclaves should feel good irrespective of their nationality. If they need humanitarian aid, let's render it. But it should not be politically tinted,” he noted.

Kosovo declared unilateral independence from Serbia on February 17. Russia has sided with Serbia, which says the unilateral declaration is illegal.