Putin: No Conflict Between Russia, Georgia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 7 that there is no conflict between Russia and Georgia and the two countries need no mediators to normalize bilateral relations.

 

?For reasons unclear to us, the Georgian leadership is doing everything to worsen relations between the two countries. Within the past few years Georgia has consequently been pursuing an anti-Russian policy, including the [use of] rhetoric that is inapropriate to civilized norms, fabricated accusations and provocations against Russian peacekeepers deployed in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, spy-mania, etc.,? Putin said in a written interview with Mexican publisher Mario Vazquez Rana that was posted on the Russian President?s official web site.

 

He also said Georgia?s ?inappropriate militarization? threatens stability and security in the Caucasus.

 

?Georgia is actually getting ready for a forceful solution of the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-Ossetian conflicts. Overt threats towards Sokhumi and Tskhinvali are heard instead of peace negotiations,? Putin said. 

 

The Russian President also reiterated that the two countries do not need mediators in normalizing bilateral ties.

 

?Russia and Georgia have a many centuries of experience in building friendly relations. This is a subject of our discussion with the partners, including representatives of EU countries. And if, while communicating with the present leadership of Georgia, they [EU countries] will consider it expedient to bring to [the Georgian leadership?s] attention that it is absolutely counterproductive to create an atmosphere of tensions at the expense of deterioration of relations with Russia that… would justify forceful actions against Abkhazia and South Ossetia, we will only welcome such a contribution,? Putin added.