Russia, Georgia Exchange Prisoners

Russia and Georgia exchanged prisoners of war today in a gesture that observers hope will reduce tensions and expedite a Russian withdrawal. Fifteen Georgians and five Russians were set free, the Georgian military says. Yet despite the exchange, there was still no movement of Russian troops out of Gori or other parts of Georgian territory, reports the Times of London.

NATO foreign ministers are holding an emergency meeting today in Brussels to come up with a unified response to the Russian invasion. But Dmitry Medvedev offered a stark warning yesterday that other former Soviet nations who seek to emulate Georgia will incur Russia's wrath. "Anyone who tries anything like that will face a crushing response," said the president.
(More Georgia stories.)