Serbian leader criticizes the West for Kosovo vote.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticized Western officials mediating talks on normalizing ties with Kosovo, calling them liars and frauds, and said the Serb minority in the former Serbian province will no longer tolerate foreign “occupation.” Ethnic tensions have soared since the Russian aggression on Ukraine. The EU said on Monday that the elections were held in line with the legal framework of Kosovo and that efforts were undertaken for them to take place in a smooth and orderly manner. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which is recognized by many Western countries, but it is opposed by Belgrade with the backing of Russia and China.