Georgia: NATO Warns Russia

With tension between Russia and Georgia increasing following the shooting down of a Georgian drone over the breakaway region of Abkhazia and Russian threats towards Armenia’s northern neighbor, the BBC reports that NATO has warned Moscow that an apparent buildup of troops in the separatist region as well as South Ossetia is unacceptable.

“The steps that have been taken [by Russia] and the rhetoric have increased tensions and undermined Georgia’s territorial integrity,” Nato spokesman James Appathurai said.

He also urged both Moscow and Tbilisi to avoid harsh rhetoric.

US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe on Wednesday said Washington was “concerned abut reports from the region”.

The European Union has appealed for caution, saying to increase troop numbers would be unwise given current tensions.

Over recent weeks Russia appears to have been significantly turning up the pressure in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says.

He says that many Western diplomats see these moves as part of a more assertive Russian policy in the wake of Western recognition of the independence of Kosovo in February.