The future of the breakaway southern Serbian province of Kosovo must not be decided under pressure from outside, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday after meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, DPA reported. "A solution to the problem can only function in the long term if it is acceptable to both Belgrade and Pristina," Putin told journalists. Putin said that he had discussed the situation in Serbia with Merkel. Serbia elects a new parliament Sunday.