Medvedev ends the South Ossetian war

12/08/08 13:32 CET

Russia

world news

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The war in Georgia is over. President Dimitry Medvedev gave the order just before the French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to hold peace talks in Moscow. Medvedev is quoted as saying “the aggressor has been punished and sustained serious losses.”

“I have decided to stop the operation to force Georgian authorities to peace,” Medvedev said. “The aim of the operation has been reached. The security of our peacekeepers and civilian population has been restored.”

The Georgian Prime Minister said his country needs more evidence that Russian operations have come to an end. Moscow had been under intense international pressure to halt the fighting.

Medvedev says any settlement of the conflict is subject to two conditions: Georgian troops must return to their previous positions, and Georgia must sign a binding “non-use of force agreement”.

Georgia entered into conflict with Russia after Tibilisi tried to retake control of the pro-Russian breakaway region South Ossetia.