Weapons used by Georgian troops in Afghanistan should not be brought to Georgia, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said on Tuesday.
“We view it as a very significant issue that weapons used by Georgian troops in Afghanistan should not be supplied to Georgia,” Lukashevich said, adding that Saakashvili’s regime could use them against Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Russian nationals residing there as well.
The spokesman also warned against any military cooperation with Tbilisi, citing “the grave consequences for global and Caucasus security” that can be caused by “Saakashvili’s unstable and irresponsible regime.”
The diplomat reiterated that Russia had filed a note to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in 2011, following a statement that the United States was planning to supply M4 carbines and armored Hummers to Georgia.
Georgia has one of the largest contingents in Afghanistan among non-NATO states.
There are about 940 Georgian troops, serving in the southern Afghan Helmand province.
Tbilisi is planning to increase its military presence in Afghanistan by 1685 troops in 2013.
