Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu announced that Kosovo's independence is irreversible and that he expects Russia to take a new approach to the republic.

Addressing reporters in Pristina, Sejdiu reacted to a statement Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made during his last Tuesday visit to Belgrade that the status of Kosovo-Metohija was not resolved and that Russia supports Serbia in preserving its sovereignty in Kosovo.

Sejdiu said that Kosovo's independence was based on strong arguments and on rights to political will of the people of Kosovo.

He underscored that Russia denied the article from the Contact Group's agreement on Kosovo signed in December 2005, which stated that the will of the majority Kosovo citizens must be respected.

Sejdiu also added that he expects a new viewpoint of Russia concerning Kosovo-Metohija and not an approach that would cause tension.