The United Nations Mission to Kosovo, known as UNMIK, declared that Kosovo authorities did not inform them before declaring a Russian member of the mission persona non grata.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson of the UN’s General Secretary asserted that UNMIK Regulations exclude the doctrine from being applied against the mission’s personnel.

“We have been made aware of the Kosovo authorities’ declaration as “persona non grata” of a staff member of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK. No official communication has been received by the Mission from the Kosovo authorities with respect to this announcement. The doctrine of “persona non grata” is not applicable to United Nations personnel and is not contemplated under UNMIK regulation 2000/47 (on the status, privileges, and immunities of KFOR and UNMIK and their personnel in Kosovo)”, the statement released from spokesperson read.

On December 31, Kosovo’s foreign minister designated as non grata a Russian official, part of the UN’s Mission staff, for his alleged “harmful activities which undermined national security”.

The UN said that any concern over its personnel needs to be brought up with the mission leadership in order to “address the matter in line with the status, privileges and immunities of UNMIK and its personnel.”