Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Georgia’s actions, including a troop buildup on the borders of two separatist Georgian regions, are cause for “serious concern” a year after a war between the two countries.
Russia routed Georgia’s U.S.-trained army in the five-day war over separatist South Ossetia that began one year ago today. Medvedev later recognized South Ossetia and a second breakaway region, Abkhazia, as sovereign countries in the face of Western condemnation. Russia has deployed thousands of troops in the regions, which Georgia regards as occupied territories, and agreed to 'defend' their borders.
Russia maintains that it sent troops into South Ossetia in response to Georgia’s “inhuman attack” on civilians and Russian peacekeepers. Georgia insists that Russia invaded late on Aug. 7, forcing it to launch a counter-offensive. Georgia denied Medvedev’s claim of a troop buildup.“Georgia has never attacked Abkhazia or South Ossetia and never will,” Gilauri said, calling last year’s war “Russian aggression.” “Why should we sign a non-aggression pact when we’re not the ones who attacked? We defended ourselves, that’s all.”
Medvedev also reiterated Russia’s call for all countries to impose a “lengthy” halt on arms shipments to Georgia. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said on Aug. 5 that the U.S. continues to deliver arms to Georgia, Interfax reported.
[The West's inaction taught Russia it can do whatever it wants in the region - and it will...]
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