Putin Says Georgia Seeking Enemies Abroad
February 22, 2006
President Putin (left) with President Aliyev on 22 February (epa)
"A large number of people [in Georgia] are experiencing serious difficulties, and this of course destabilizes the situation not only in the country but in the whole region. If some people suppose that such questions can be resolved by diverting people's attention to looking for external enemies, I believe they are on the wrong track," Putin said at a joint press conference in Baku with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Already strained relations between Russia and Georgia were further exacerbated on 15 February, when Georgian lawmakers called for the pullout of Russian peacekeepers from Georgia's breakaway republic of South Ossetia.
The Georgian Foreign Ministry said today it has asked Moscow for an explanation for an alleged violation of Georgian airspace by Russian aircraft on 21 February. It said the incident was a "gross violation of Georgian sovereignty."
Russia's air force has denied any violation took place.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said Russia's decision on 21 February to postpone a planned visit this month by Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli was "another inadequate step" by Moscow.
(civil.ge, primenews.ge, ITAR-TASS, Interfax)