‘War was Imposed on Russia’ – Medvedev

 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the recent war with Georgia, which he said was not one Moscow had chosen, had changed the world.

“We did not need this war; it was imposed on us; but not a single state in the world would tolerate the killings of its citizens, its peacekeepers. Russia had to save the lives of people,” he said. “We have gone through the moment of truth. The world is not the same since August 8.”

Speaking at a meeting of the Russian State Council – an advisory body to the Russian president, involving senior officials from the country’s federal entities – Medvedev again claimed that the United States was delivering arms to Georgia under the guise of humanitarian aid.

“The entire fleet has been sent to provide humanitarian aid. It would be interesting to see how they [the U.S.] would feel if we were to send humanitarian aid with our fleet to the Caribbean,” he said.

“Attempts are underway to mount political pressures on us,” he continued. “We will of course not tolerate it. They will fail to do anything. I want to state it clearly that confrontation is not our choice. We again reaffirm our readiness for equal and mutually beneficial resolution, for development of neighborly relations – relations, which are based on real principles of international law.”

In his speech, Medvedev also attacked President Saakashvili, although without naming him. “Tragedy in South Ossetia has demonstrated that these days there are unrestrained politicians, whose actions pose a serious threat to international law and stability,” Medvedev said.

“Events in South Ossetia have also demonstrated that Russia will never allow anyone to infringe upon the lives and dignity of its citizens. Russia is a nation to be reckoned with from now on," he added.

“Although many states preferred to shun away from condemning the Georgian regime, the voices of those who accepted our arguments, our principled position… were very important for us. Yesterday, as you know, we discussed it in details with our allies within CSTO.”

He also said he hoped all the federal entities of the Russian Federation would provide assistance to South Ossetia in the reconstruction of infrastructure.

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