A man walks past a destroyed building in Khetagurovo in Georgia on August 29. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has urged the European Union to ignore calls to punish Moscow over the Georgia conflict as Tbilisi appealed for targeted punishment of the Russian leadership. (AFP/Viktor Drachev) Russia Reaches Out To EU As Georgia Calls
For Sanctions -- Yahoo News/AFP
For Sanctions -- Yahoo News/AFP
MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin urged the European Union to ignore calls to punish Moscow over the Georgia conflict as Tbilisi appealed Saturday for targeted punishment of the Russian leadership.
The former Kremlin leader also renewed accusations of US involvement in the fighting this month between Russian and Georgian forces over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
Putin spoke after Georgia broke off diplomatic relations with Russia and Moscow hit back at the West for condemning its decision to recognise the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia.
EU leaders are holding an emergency summit on Monday to increase pressure on Russia but the French EU presidency has made clear they will not opt for sanctions.
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More News On The Aftermath Of the Russian / Georgia War
Fears of isolation as investors flee Russia -- AP
Kremlin announces that South Ossetia will join 'one united Russian state' -- Times Online
Putin in fresh attack on US over Georgia -- Yahoo News/AFP
Georgian Crisis 'Decisive Moment' in Russia-West Ties -- Voice Of America
Georgia says Russia troops blocking refugee return -- Reuters
Moscow appeals to EU ahead of Georgia talks -- Irish Times
US 'not surprised' by Georgia-Russia break -- AFP
Georgia and Russia Cut Diplomatic Ties -- New York Times
In Georgia, Watching a Young Democracy's Spirits Flag -- Washington Post
OSCE report points finger at Georgia for S. Ossetia crisis -- RIA Novosti
U.S. Ally Proves Volatile Amid Dispute With Russia -- Wall Street Journal
My Comment: Sanctions will stop Russian economic growth and development .... a situation that is not in the best interests of Russia. But fortunately for Russia, Europe has no appetite to pursue such a course at the present time.