Russia Says Confidence in Georgia Undermined

Georgia launched “a treacherous and massive attack” on Tskhinvali “just hours after” reaching an agreement on holding talks, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on August 8.

“The Georgian authorities chose force despite all the diplomatic efforts between Moscow, Tbilisi, Tskhinvali, Washington and other interested capitals,” it said.

“As a result confidence in the Georgian leadership has been totally undermined.”

“It has become clear why Tbilisi, under various pretexts, was refusing to sign a legally binding document with South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the non-use of force… It is still not late to prevent mass bloodshed,” the Russian MFA said.

It also said that it hoped the international community would not stand aside in this “difficult situation.” “Joint efforts are needed to stop the violence fraught with the most serious consequences for the regional and international security,” the Russian MFA said.