Russia faces diplomatic isolation on Georgia

By Denis Dyomkin and Francois Murphy

DUSHANBE/PARIS (Reuters) – Russia faced diplomatic isolation over its military action against Georgia on Thursday, with its Asian allies failing to offer support and France saying EU leaders were considering imposing sanctions.

Moscow accused the West of heightening tension by a naval build-up in the Black Sea, and said talk of punishing Russia for recognizing the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions was the product of a “sick” and “confused” imagination.

EU to consider sanctions against Russia

European Union leaders will consider sanctions “and many other means” to be imposed against Russia on September 1 over the crisis in Georgia, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said. He gave no further details but added “this will be solved by negotiation.”

Moscow’s military offensive in Georgia and its recognition of independence for Georgia’s breakaway enclaves has been condemned by the West. But Russia’s president says he has the support of China and four central Asian states for its actions in Georgia.

Medvedev, Sarkozy discuss Georgian crisis by phone

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy that Georgian troops must return to their barracks in line with a French-brokered ceasefire, the Kremlin said on Thursday.

A Kremlin statement said Medvedev and Sarkozy spent more than an hour discussing the Georgian crisis by telephone. The conversation French officials said took place on Wednesday. “The Russian side has stressed the need for Tbilisi to carry out point four of the Medvedev-Sarkozy plan, under which all Georgian troops should be returned to their original bases,” the Kremlin said in its account of the conversation.

G7 slams Russia

A joint statement of foreign ministers of G7 – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United States and United Kingdom have condemned Russian Federation’s actions -invasion of Georgia and undermining its authority over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

“Russia’s decision has called into question its commitment to peace and security in Caucasus… We regret about Russia’s excessive use of military force in Georgia and about its continued occupation of parts of Georgia.”

G7 foreign ministers also encouraged Kremlin to fully follow and abide to six paragraph peace plan.

China condemns Russia’s actions

Foreign Ministry Spokesman of People’s Republic of China Qin Gang has answered question referring Russia’s recognition of independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and expressed standpoint of People’s Republic of China about the issue.

Gang said: “China has expressed concern over the latest developments of the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. We understand the complicated history and reality of South Ossetia and Abkhazia issue. In the meantime, in light of our consistent principle and position on issues alike, we hope to see relevant parties resolve the issue properly through dialogue and consultation”.

Official comments from Georgian ministry of foreign affairs

Foreign ministry of Georgia has released official comments regarding question “How would you assess Ria Novosti reports regarding the support of Hamas and Hesbola terrorist organizations are going to offer Russia in recognizing independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia”.

“According the the facts of Russian agrression against Georgia, occupation of Georgia’s territories and total ethnic cleansing on those territories, it will be no exaggeration to say that Russian Federation has gained followers it is worthy of. We are left with no other option but to congratulate Moscow on this gain”, it is said in the official comments.