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Medvedev adds voice to EU praise

02/09/2008

Dmitry Medvedev has backed the European Union's decision not to impose sanctions on Moscow over its recent action in Georgia.

He said the move represented a "reasonable, realistic" point of view.

The Russian president's comments come after EU leaders opted against sanctions but suspended a new linkup with Russia.

On the suspension of the partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) talks, which had been due to begin on September 15th, Mr Medvedev added: "Firstly, unfortunately, there is still no understanding of what motivated Russia to make decisions on repelling the Georgian aggression and recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states."

Russian newspapers had earlier made clear their approval of Moscow's stance in its treatment of Georgia.

The backing came as the EU insisted planned negotiations could not go ahead until Russian troops pulled back to their pre-August 7th positions in South Ossetia. They currently patrol a buffer zone in Georgia itself.

"We do not want to cut partnership ties with Russia," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted French president Nicolas Sarkozy as saying.

"We condemn in no uncertain terms Russia's disproportionate reaction, but we in Europe realise the need to continue dialogue with our Russian neighbours."

Russian media have reacted with delight to the development. The Kommersant hailed a "victory for Russia diplomacy", according to the AFP news agency, while the tabloid Tvoi Den was quoted as saying in one headline that "Europe can keep sucking our oil and gas."