Sunday, May 30, 1999 Published at 00:52 GMT 01:52 UK
Belgrade diplomacy leaves Nato unmoved
Nato bombs have hit homes as well as military targets
Nato says its campaign of air strikes against Yugoslavia will continue unabated, despite reports from Belgrade and Moscow of progress towards a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Mr Chernomyrdin returned to Moscow on Friday after declaring himself "very satisfied" with talks held with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Some leading politicians in Belgrade who have been lobbying the president to find a diplomatic solution were said to have been celebrating after the latest talks.
One source close to government told the BBC there had been a psychological shift on the part of the Yugoslav leader.
Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, who has accused Belgrade of trying to destabilise his government, welcomed the reports.
On Saturday, Russia accused the West of failing to appreciate its peacemaking efforts.
Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov was quoted by Russian media as saying: "Russian efforts and the direct efforts of ...Chernomyrdin, have not found the understanding of the leadership of Nato, which continues to insist Belgrade accept the alliance's demands."
Nato's cautious reaction
In Paris, the French and German leaders called for an early meeting of the G8 countries to consider the developments from Belgrade.
But President Chirac's answer was unequivocal when asked if President Milosevic now had room for manoeuvre in negotiating an end to the conflict. "No. He doesn't have any," he said.
Nato Secretary General Javier Solana's reaction was also cautious. Speaking on Saturday via a live link from Italy to reporters at Nato's daily briefing in Brussels, he said: ""I don't have any fresh information. We welcome of course any diplomatic effort to help Belgrade accept the position of the international community."
Campaign's 'significant impact'
"No army can stand the continual losses day after day in a campaign of indefinite duration on the ground in Kosovo," he said.
Correspondents say Nato leaders are acknowledging the apparent progress on the diplomatic track without having a special faith that it is leading anywhere.
It is important for Nato unity and for the sake of relations with Russia that every avenue to a peaceful settlement is seen to be pursued.
But there is considerable doubt about President Milosevic's intentions and far more progress will need to be made before a halt to the bombings becomes a serious prospect.