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| Russia recognises Georgian rebels | Russia recognises Georgian rebels |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia has formally recognised the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. | President Dmitry Medvedev says Russia has formally recognised the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. |
| The move follows a vote in both houses of parliament on Monday, calling on him to recognise the regions' independence. | The move follows a vote in both houses of parliament on Monday, calling on him to recognise the regions' independence. |
| It comes in defiance of a specific plea from US President George W Bush not to recognise the separatist regions. | It comes in defiance of a specific plea from US President George W Bush not to recognise the separatist regions. |
| Russia and Georgia fought a brief war this month over the provinces which already had de facto independence. | Russia and Georgia fought a brief war this month over the provinces which already had de facto independence. |
| Analysts say the move is likely to further escalate tensions between Russia and the West. | Analysts say the move is likely to further escalate tensions between Russia and the West. |
| Rift with Nato | |
| "I have signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of South Ossetia and the independence of Abkhazia," Mr Medvedev said in the announcement. | "I have signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of South Ossetia and the independence of Abkhazia," Mr Medvedev said in the announcement. |
| The US state department had said recognition of the two provinces' independence would be "a violation of Georgian territorial integrity" and "inconsistent with international law". | The US state department had said recognition of the two provinces' independence would be "a violation of Georgian territorial integrity" and "inconsistent with international law". |
| In a statement, Mr Bush called on Russia's leadership to "meet its commitments and not recognise these separatist regions". | In a statement, Mr Bush called on Russia's leadership to "meet its commitments and not recognise these separatist regions". |
| Earlier on Tuesday, Russia cancelled a visit by Nato's secretary general, one of a series of measures to suspend co-operation with the military alliance. | Earlier on Tuesday, Russia cancelled a visit by Nato's secretary general, one of a series of measures to suspend co-operation with the military alliance. |
| Russia's ambassador to Nato said the trip would be delayed until relations between the two were clarified. | Russia's ambassador to Nato said the trip would be delayed until relations between the two were clarified. |
| Dmitry Rogozin said a "new understanding" needed to be reached between Russia and Nato. | Dmitry Rogozin said a "new understanding" needed to be reached between Russia and Nato. |