Blinken's statement was published on the website of the State Department.

"The United States strongly condemns the actions of the Kosovo government to forcibly seize municipal buildings," the statement said.

As Blinken noted, these steps were taken by the Kosovo authorities contrary to the recommendations of Washington and European countries.

"These steps have led to a sharp and unnecessary escalation of tensions," the State Department stressed.

The statement said that such actions would have consequences for bilateral relations between the United States and Kosovo.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously brought the Serbian army to a state of maximum combat readiness due to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, provoked by Pristina's unilateral steps.

Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vučević confirmed that the country's army had urgently advanced to the administrative border.

In a clash with the police of the self-proclaimed republic in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, ten people received minor injuries due to the use of stun grenades, tear gas and batons.