Medvedev: Russia recognizes South Ossetian and Abkhazian independence

DEBKAfile Special Report

August 26, 2008, 3:37 PM (GMT+02:00)
Russian president Dimitry Medvedev

Russian president Dimitry Medvedev

Signing the decrees, Russian president Dimitry Medvedev said Tuesday, Aug. 26, that the two breakaway Georgian regions have the right to determine their own future after Georgia??s attacks. Recognition was unanimously urged Monday by the Russian upper house. Washington says this is a violation of international law. DEBKAfile's Moscow sources report that the Kremlin is planning further sanctions against Georgia and its US-NATO backers, possibly in Eastern Europe.

The US state department has said recognition of the two provinces' independence would be "a violation of Georgian territorial integrity" and "inconsistent with international law".

Russia has cancelled a visit by NATO's secretary general, after Medvedev said he was weighing halting cooperation with the military alliance, ??until relations were clarified.? Its NATO ambassador said a "new understanding" needed to be reached between Russia and the alliance.