Russia Will Judge Georgia By Deeds, Not Words

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the opposition Georgian Dream coalition that won the recent election, says he wants to normalize relations with Russia.

Russia's Foreign Ministry says Moscow hopes changes in Georgia following the October 1 parliamentary elections will help normalize relations between the two countries.

But ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich said on October 4 that Moscow will judge Georgia's "deeds, not words."

Russia and Georgia fought a brief war in 2008 and broke off diplomatic relations after Moscow recognized two breakaway Georgian republics as independent states.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the opposition Georgian Dream coalition that won the election, says he wants to normalize relations with Russia.

With nearly all ballots counted, the Central Election Commission says Georgian Dream is projected to have around 82 seats in the 150-seat parliament.

President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement would have 68.

However, Georgian Dream is contesting the results in several direct-voting constituencies.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, Interfax, and Civil.ge