WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Wednesday peoples of Kosovo should "move forward" towards independence amid Russia's warning that a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo would violate international law and damage security in Europe.

    U.S. President George W. Bush "has long held a position that they should be able to move forward, and that they should be supported by the international community in seeking their independence," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

    "And so there's been no change in that position," the spokeswoman said after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of danger of Kosovo independence in Geneva on Tuesday.

    "It would undermine the basics of security in Europe, and it would undermine the basics of the United Nations charter," Lavrov said.

    Kosovo, a breakaway Serbian province, could unilaterally declare its independence as early as Sunday, and its status is expected to be recognized by Western countries.