BELGRADE, February 27 (RIA Novosti) - Kosovo is preparing documentation to enable it to gain membership in major international organizations, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed state said on Wednesday.

"Procedures for Kosovo's entry to the UN, EU, NATO and the OSCE will be launched very soon," Hashim Thaci told a government session in Pristina, capital of the Albanian-dominated region, which declared its independence from Serbia on February 17.

Recognized by the United States and major European countries, Kosovo's independence, is opposed by Serbia and Russia. Moscow said the move set a precedent which will trigger similar demands from other self-proclaimed republics.

Belgrade, which considers Kosovo its historical heartland, recalled its ambassadors from countries that have recognized the Serbian province's independence. Russia also said it will block any move by Kosovo to join the United Nations.

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said on Wednesday that it was "absolutely premature" to speak about Kosovo's UN bid. He also called the EU mission, which is being deployed in Kosovo, "illegitimate" and insisted the UN mission continue its work in the region.

Protests against Kosovo's independence turned into street riots in Belgrade last week, leaving at least 130 people injured.