EU, US tell Kosovo to back down in Serb standoff or face 'consequences'

FILE PHOTO: Albanians protest near the bridge which connects south and north Mitrovica, in Mitrovica, Kosovo, June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski

PRISTINA/BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The United States and the European Union told Kosovo on Wednesday to back down in a tense standoff with Serbs in the north of the country or face "consequences" from its longtime Western allies.

The warnings came as U.S. and EU envoys concluded visits to Kosovo and Serbia to calm tensions that flared into violence last week, wounding dozens of NATO peace-keeping soldiers and Serb protesters in northern Kosovo.