(Newser)
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Invoking the era of Cold War conspiracies, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the US of sparking conflict in Georgia to give John McCain a campaign boost. “They need a small victorious war,” the told CNN. He insisted the US encouraged Georgia to attack their two breakaway regions earlier this month, forcing Russia to intervene. The White House called the accusations “absurd."
Putin has failed to gain international support for Russia’s continued military presence in Georgia. An alliance of Asian nations denounced the use of force in local conflicts in a statement yesterday, while Putin had hoped the alliance would recognize Georgia's breakaway states as independent. The European Union also condemned Russia's invasion, and is considering sanctions against the nation.
