Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the government to prepare and send humanitarian aid to Serbian enclaves in Kosovo following a request from the Serbian government, concerned by the humanitarian situation in the region.

The outgoing president has asked Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov to oversee the issue after meeting with government members on Monday, Itar-Tass reported.

Putin also declared there should be no political meaning attached to the gesture.

"If they need humanitarian aid let's provide it but without political motivation," Putin stressed.

Putin announced his decision after Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the cabinet meeting that "the humanitarian situation has worsened" in Serb-populated areas of Kosovo.

Lavrov said that the main items requested are medicine and medical equipment, food and hygiene products.

Russia is the strongest ally of Serbia over the Kosovo issue, saying that the unilateral declaration of independence of the region violates international law.

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