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UK urges tough response to Russia UK urges tough response to Russia
(about 1 hour later)
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called on the EU and Nato to initiate "hard-headed engagement" with Russia in response to its actions in Georgia.UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called on the EU and Nato to initiate "hard-headed engagement" with Russia in response to its actions in Georgia.
In a speech in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, he urged them to bolster their allies, re-balance the energy relationship with Russia and defend international law.In a speech in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, he urged them to bolster their allies, re-balance the energy relationship with Russia and defend international law.
Mr Miliband's visit came a day after Russia recognised the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions. Mr Miliband also warned the Russian president not to start a new Cold War.
Earlier, Ukraine's president said it was a hostage in a war waged by Russia. His visit came a day after Dmitry Medvedev recognised the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions.
Earlier, Ukraine's president said it was a hostage in a war waged by Russia against countries in the old Soviet bloc.
The most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Meeting Russia's 'Number One' Press reacts to Russia-West splitJubilation and dismay in Georgia
Victor Yushchenko told Mr Miliband that the brief conflict between Georgia and Russia earlier this month had exposed serious weaknesses in the powers of the UN and other international bodies.Victor Yushchenko told Mr Miliband that the brief conflict between Georgia and Russia earlier this month had exposed serious weaknesses in the powers of the UN and other international bodies.
The most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, to save the lives of people for whom we are responsible Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Meeting Russia's 'Number One' Press reacts to Russia-West splitJubilation and dismay in Georgia
He called for Ukraine's defences to be strengthened and said his country would consider increasing the amount of money Russia pays for the lease of the port of Sevastopol, where it stations its Black Sea Fleet.He called for Ukraine's defences to be strengthened and said his country would consider increasing the amount of money Russia pays for the lease of the port of Sevastopol, where it stations its Black Sea Fleet.
Fighting between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August after the Georgian military tried to retake its Russian-backed breakaway province of South Ossetia by force.Fighting between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August after the Georgian military tried to retake its Russian-backed breakaway province of South Ossetia by force.
Russian forces subsequently launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia and an EU-brokered ceasefire.Russian forces subsequently launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia and an EU-brokered ceasefire.
Russia 'unreconciled'Russia 'unreconciled'
After holding talks with President Yushchenko, Mr Miliband told a group of students in Kiev that the Georgia crisis had "provided a rude awakening".After holding talks with President Yushchenko, Mr Miliband told a group of students in Kiev that the Georgia crisis had "provided a rude awakening".
The Russian president... has a big responsibility not to start [a new Cold War] David MilibandUK Foreign Secretary The Russian president says he is not afraid of a new Cold War... He has a big responsibility not to start one David MilibandUK Foreign Secretary class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/7583810.stm">Testing for a new 'Cold War'
"Russia is not yet reconciled to the new map of this region," he said. Mr Miliband said Moscow's "unilateral attempt to redraw the map marks a moment of real significance".
The Russian president's "unilateral attempt to redraw the map marks a moment of real significance", he added. The Russian president, he said, had a "big responsibility not to start" a new Cold War.
"The Russian president says he is not afraid of a new Cold War," he said.
"We don't want one. He has a big responsibility not to start one."
The foreign secretary said the response of the EU and Nato to such "aggression" should be one of "hard-headed engagement".The foreign secretary said the response of the EU and Nato to such "aggression" should be one of "hard-headed engagement".
SOUTH OSSETIA & ABKHAZIA South Ossetia Population: About 70,000 (before recent conflict)Capital: TskhinvaliPresident: Eduard Kokoity Abkhazia Population: About 250,000 (2003)Capital: SukhumiPresident: Sergei Bagapsh Profile: South OssetiaProfile: AbkhaziaQ&A: Conflict in Georgia
"That means bolstering our allies, rebalancing the energy relationship with Russia, defending the rules of international institutions, and renewing efforts to tackle 'unresolved conflicts'," he explained."That means bolstering our allies, rebalancing the energy relationship with Russia, defending the rules of international institutions, and renewing efforts to tackle 'unresolved conflicts'," he explained.
"Europe needs to act as one when dealing with third parties like Russia," he said. Mr Miliband again rejected calls for Russia to be expelled from the G8, but did suggest the EU and Nato needed to review relations with it.
Mr Miliband again rejected calls for Russia to be expelled from the G8, but did suggest the EU and Nato needed to review relations with Russia. He also reiterated the British government's support for Ukraine's application for full Nato membership.
He also reiterated the British government's support for Ukraine's application for full Nato membership, to which Russia and many Ukrainians are opposed. European warnings
Earlier, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner warned that Moscow's next objectives could be Russian-speaking regions in the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Moldova. China has meanwhile expressed "concern" for the first time about developments over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and urged dialogue.
SOUTH OSSETIA & ABKHAZIA South Ossetia Population: About 70,000 (before recent conflict)Capital: TskhinvaliPresident: Eduard Kokoity Abkhazia Population: About 250,000 (2003)Capital: SukhumiPresident: Sergei Bagapsh Profile: South OssetiaProfile: AbkhaziaQ&A: Conflict in Georgia
The comments came as the Chinese leader, Hu Jintao, met President Medvedev in Tajikistan ahead of a regional summit.
In other developments
  • Georgia moved to reduce its diplomatic presence in Moscow, confirming its ambassador would not return
  • Germany said the continued presence of Russian forces in Georgia proper was a grave ceasefire violation. It also agreed to send up to 15 military observers to Georgia as part of an expanded OSCE mission
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would support the presence of more international monitors in the buffer zones
  • French President Nicolas Sarkozy said any settlement had to be based on international law, dialogue and respect for Georgia's territorial integrity
    • Preventing 'catastrophe'Preventing 'catastrophe'
    On Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow had been obliged to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia following the "genocide" started by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in South Ossetia in August.On Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow had been obliged to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia following the "genocide" started by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in South Ossetia in August.
    HAVE YOUR SAYMiliband should keep his nose out of it unless he wants it bloodied by the Russians Di, LondonSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYMiliband should keep his nose out of it unless he wants it bloodied by the Russians Di, LondonSend us your comments
    "The most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe..." he told the BBC in an interview in the Russian city of Sochi."The most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe..." he told the BBC in an interview in the Russian city of Sochi.
    "So we had to take a decision recognising the two states as independent."
    He said a new Cold War could not be ruled out, but that his country did not want one.He said a new Cold War could not be ruled out, but that his country did not want one.
    "There are no winners in a Cold War," he said.
    Georgia said Russia was seeking to "change Europe's borders by force".Georgia said Russia was seeking to "change Europe's borders by force".
    Most of Russia's forces pulled out of the rest of Georgia last Friday but it maintains a presence both within the two rebel regions and in buffer zones imposed round their boundaries.Most of Russia's forces pulled out of the rest of Georgia last Friday but it maintains a presence both within the two rebel regions and in buffer zones imposed round their boundaries.
    Mr Medvedev has blamed Georgia for failing to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the crisis.Mr Medvedev has blamed Georgia for failing to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the crisis.