The Romanian and Bulgarian governments have joined Hungary in refusing to let Russia use their airspace to transport military supplies and personnel to Kosovo.

A Bulgarian government spokeswoman Stoyana Georgieva said Bulgaria would reconsider once Russia and NATO had created a unified command.

Russia replied by saying both Bulgaria and Hungary are violating international standards.

A BBC correspondent says the ex-communist countries do not wish to damage their prospects of closer union with the West by supporting what could be an independent Russian military initiative in Kosovo.