The Russian Foreign Ministry is surprised by U.S. President Barack Obama's statement regarding an independence referendum in Kosovo.

The Russian Foreign Ministry is surprised by U.S. President Barack Obama's statement regarding an independence referendum in Kosovo.

"Moscow has taken note of the fact that U.S. President Barack Obama, in rationalizing 'independence' of Kosovo and Metohija (Serbia) declared in circumvention of UN Security Council resolution 1244 in his speech in Brussels on March 28, mentioned some referendum on this issue allegedly held in coordination with the UN and the neighboring countries," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement available on its website.

"This allegation by the U.S. president causes perplexity, as no plebiscite, not to mention one agreed upon with the international community, was held on Kosovo's independence. The decision on secession from Serbia was made by the so-called 'parliament' in Pristina in 2008," it said.

"At the same time, we agree that momentous decisions must be made not in secret but through a referendum, as was done in Crimea," it said.

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