Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence on Sunday has sparked major diplomatic divisions around the world, and sporadic violence in the Balkans.
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Serb nationalists destroyed two checkpoints on Kosovo's new border with Serbia yesterday, causing Nato troops to intervene for the first time since the split from Belgrade.
But a senior diplomatic source in Pristina said that "Europe has stood up and been counted" by backing Kosovo's independence.
It had done so despite "Russian muscle flexing" as Moscow sought to maintain influence in the Balkans and support its key ally in the …