Medvedev, Bush Discuss Georgia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told his U.S. counterpart, George W. Bush, that Russia was ready to normalize ties with Georgia, but Tbilisi had failed to take reciprocal steps, the Kremlin reported on July 6. 

The meeting between the two leaders was held in Japan on the sidelines of a G8 summit. 

According to the Russian president’s press office, the U.S. president showed an interest in relations between Russia and Georgia. President Medvedev informed him about his meeting with President Saakashvili in Astana on July 5 on the sidelines of ceremonies marking the Kazakh capital’s 10th anniversary.

“It was noted that Russia is disposed to normalization of relations with Georgia; however, Moscow fails to see enough will from the Georgian partners,” the Kremlin said. “Nevertheless, the Russian president shared with his American counterpart several concrete proposals, which if given a positive response, will allow for de-escalation.”