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Russia Orders End to Georgia War

Medvedev announces halt to military operations

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2008 4:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered a halt to military operations in Georgia, according to a Kremlin statement. The declaration came moments before Medvedev was to meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to discuss an international peace plan after five days of fighting. While Georgian officials claimed that the Russian army was preparing to sack their capital of Tbilisi, Reuters reports that Moscow's forces stayed largely within the two breakaway regions.

Though military action may be suspended, peace could still be elusive. Russia's foreign minister warned that Moscow would not accept a European proposal for a joint Russian-Georgian peacekeeping force, saying the Georgians "brought shame upon themselves as peacekeepers." Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists in the region of Abkhazia launched a major offensive this morning to drive out the remaining Georgian forces.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev listens during a meeting with parliament factions leaders in Moscow's Kremlin Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev listens during a meeting with parliament factions leaders in Moscow's Kremlin Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, left, and Federal Security Service Chief Alexander Bortnikov seen during talks in the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, left, and Federal Security Service Chief Alexander Bortnikov seen during talks in the Kremlin in Moscow on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Vladimir Rodionov, Presidemtial Press Service )
Ossetian soldiers walk along a street in Tskhinvali, capital of the Georgian breakaway enclave of South Ossetia on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.
Ossetian soldiers walk along a street in Tskhinvali, capital of the Georgian breakaway enclave of South Ossetia on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
A Russian soldier walks away from a damaged building of the Russian peacekeepers' base and a burned tank in Tskhinvali, capital of Georgian breakaway enclave of South Ossetia on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. Fighting raged Monday around Tskhinvali. Russia also launched new air raids across Georgia, with at least one...
A Russian soldier walks away from a damaged building of the Russian peacekeepers' base and a burned tank in Tskhinvali, capital of Georgian breakaway enclave of South Ossetia on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008....   (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, welcomes Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. Alexander Stubb arrived in Russia, after he visited Georgia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, welcomes Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. Alexander Stubb arrived in Russia, after...   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
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More on Medvedev's announcement
BBC

 
Russia • Nicolas Sarkozy • Vladimir Putin • Georgia • Mikheil Saakashvili • ceasefire • Dmitry Medvedev • Abkhazia • South Ossetia

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