Russia's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday the Russian president had instructed that measures be drawn up to provide support for the population in Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, that proclaimed independence following the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991.
"The UN has already discussed the issue," Minister David Bakradze said. "Statements were made in support of Georgia's territorial integrity and Russia was criticized."
Earlier in the day Georgia's president Mikheil Saakashvili demanded that Russia revise its actions to strengthen cooperation between Moscow and the unrecognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, saying the moves violated Georgia's sovereignty.
"We are waiting and demand that the Russian Federation revise all decisions made to violate Georgia's sovereignty. Our efforts will be aimed at mobilizing the international community. We need serious action, not just words from our partners in the next days and weeks," Mikheil Saakashvili told a Cabinet session.
Ex-Soviet breakaway regions have stepped up their drive for independence since Kosovo's declaration of independence in February. Abkhazia and South Ossetia, along with Moldova's Transdnestr, have since asked Russia's parliament, the UN and other organizations to recognize their independence.
Georgia is seeking to regain control of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and the Georgian leader has proposed granting Abkhazia broad autonomy and establishing a free economic zone in the separatist province, but Abkhazia rejected the offer.
