Russia's NATO envoy says U.S. wants to divide and rule

Russia's ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, said that recognizing Kosovo's independence was part of America's plan to "divide and rule."

"It's the atomization of the world," Rogozin said on Russia’s state-run Vesti-24 television. "Who benefits from this? Only those who prefer to divide and rule — the old imperial principle. This is first of all the United States of America."

Past the bluster though Rogozin raised a good point - that by recognizing Kosovo outside of the United Nations, Western nations were weakening the system of international law. He warned that Kosovo could prompt other ethnic groups to push for their independence claims. He said that Kosovo is a reason for Russia to build up its military to ensure its security. And while he again stressed Russia's support for Serbia, he said that Russia would not interfere militarily in the Kosovo situation.

Finally Rogozin said that there were "shadowy structures that stand behind Kosovo's independence," including a powerful narcotics mafia. Kosovo's economy currently is in shambles. The European Union puts the unemployment rate at well over 40%, and has said that the economy is largely driven by black market activities.