Tbilisi has repeatedly accused Moscow of trying to undermine its independence and encroach on its territorial integrity by supporting separatist regimes in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia provinces. It has urged the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping troops deployed to monitor ceasefire accords with the breakaway regions, as well as of Russia's Soviet-era military bases.
"We are often criticized for alleged annexation of part of [Georgian] territories (Abkhazia and South Ossetia)," Sergei Ivanov, who is also deputy prime minister, said in an interview with Russian TV channel Rossiya. "We do not annex these territories and have no intention to do it in the future."
"On the contrary, during 15 years the Georgian leadership has done everything to push these autonomies from Georgia," the minister said.
Ivanov also ruled out the possibility of war between Russia and Georgia saying: "We cannot and do not want to wage a war against the friendly Georgian people."
But he said Abkhazia and South Ossetia are a different matter because Russian peacekeepers and many Russian citizens reside in these self-proclaimed republics.
"If Georgia launches a military action against our peacekeepers and citizens [in Abkhazia and South Ossetia], if it starts genocide and ethnic cleansing campaign, Russia will not ignore these actions," Ivanov said.
