Russian head sparks outrage from west

Russian head: ‘We’re not afraid of new cold war’

Published:

BREAKAWAY: Russian armoured vehicles prepare to roll towards Russia's North Ossetia.

RUSSIA raised the stakes in the aftermath of its invasion of Georgia today by formally recognising two breakaway territories.

The move brought instant condemnation from the West – including the UK.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband was due to make a keynote speech in Ukraine today strongly condemning Russia’s decision.

He said he was visiting Kiev in a bid to assemble the “widest possible coalition against Russian aggression”.

But Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said he was not afraid of a new Cold War.

Mr Medvedev went on national television to say he had signed a decree recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia a day after the Kremlin-controlled parliament voted unanimously to support the diplomatic recognition. He added later: “We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a new Cold War, but we don’t want it and in this situation everything depends on the position of our partners. “If they want to preserve good relations with Russia in the West, they will understand the reason behind our decision.”

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the decision to recognise the independence of two breakaway regions in Georgia was “extremely unfortunate”.

“Abkhazia and South Ossetia are a part of the internationally recognized borders of Georgia and it’s going to remain so,” she said.

Britain, Germany and France also criticised the decision.

Mr Medvedev was accused of “inflaming” the crisis by insisting South Ossetia and Abkhazia should be independent.