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Georgia severs Russia ties

29/08/2008

Russian isolation increased further on Friday when Georgia announced an end to diplomatic ties with its giant northern neighbour.

Tbilisi's foreign ministry said the move was a response to Russia's recognition of breakaway regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia on Tuesday.

"We have received instructions at the foreign ministry and we will cut diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation," deputy foreign minister Grigol Vashadze told a news conference.

"The final decision has been made," he said.

Georgia had already recalled its ambassador from Moscow following a breach of its airspace in July, leaving just two of its diplomats in the Russian capital.

Russian news agencies have quoted the country's foreign ministry expressing regret over Georgia's decision.

Earlier the ministry reacted angrily to criticism by the G7 group of nations over its military action in Georgia.

The G7 had accused Russia of breaking international law after president Dmitry Medvedev declared that Moscow officially recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence.

Russia's foreign ministry said the G7 was attempting to justify Georgia's actions in the regions and accused the group of making "baseless assertions about Russia undermining Georgia's territorial integrity".

"This step is biased and is aimed at justifying the aggressive actions of Georgia," the ministry said.

Russia and Georgia engaged in fierce clashes earlier this month after Tbilisi launched a surprise assault on South Ossetia.

Yesterday, Russia's prime minister Vladimir Putin said in a CNN interview that the Georgian conflict may have been planned by groups in the US with the aim of benefiting John McCain's campaign to become the next US president.