Russia Denies Increase of Military Presence in Georgia

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov reiterated on February 11 that Russia does not intend to increase number of its troops in Georgia, including in Abkhazia, where the Russian peacekeepers are deployed under the CIS auspices. 
 
“I convinced Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili that the Russian contingent will not increase in Georgia. Neither the number of peacekeepers deployed in Abkhazia will be increased, as their number is strictly defined by their mandate,” Ivanov said on February 11 after the meeting with Mikheil Saakashvili.

Recently Georgian media reported that Russia was increasing number of troops in its two military bases in Georgia.