Russian peacekeepers have been deployed in Georgia's two breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia since ceasefire agreements were concluded in the 1990s.
After a western-leaning government came to power in Georgia in 2003, authorities sought to replace Russian peacekeepers in the region with an international contingent, accusing Russia of trying to dominate the conflict zones.
"We always explain to our partners that Russia is being accused of wanting to annex some Georgian territories, but we do not want and have no plans to annex anything," said Sergei Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister.
"We want stalled conflicts, not only in the Caucasus, but also in the Balkans and Cyprus to be resolved under similar and comprehensive rules and standards," he said.
One of the breakaway republics, South Ossetia, said it will follow the example of Kosovo -- a province of Serbia with an ethnic Albanian majority under international control since 1999 -- and hold a referendum in November to obtain international recognition of its independent status.
Georgian authorities immediately accused Russia of interfering in its internal affairs.
"Russia's concrete actions amount to gross interference in Georgia's domestic affairs," the Foreign Ministry said. "Ignoring the general norms and principles of international law, Russia infringes upon its [Georgia's] sovereignty and territorial integrity."
Ivanov also said Friday that Georgia is seeking a military solution to conflicts with its two breakaway republics, and that Georgia felt Russia was obstructing its use of force.
"We must remember that 90% of the Abkhazian and South Ossetian populations are Russian citizens," Ivanov said.
In a separate development, Ivanov said two more Russian soldiers were attacked in South Ossetia, and added that Europe's largest security organization, the OSCE, has documentary proof of the assault.
"Two Russian peacekeepers were assaulted, and the OSCE has documented the incident," said Ivanov.
