Putin Refuses to Visit Georgia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on August 18 that his scheduled visit to Georgia would be ?inappropriate? amid the increased tensions in Georgia?s breakaway South Ossetia.

?We have discussed the possibility of a visit by me to Georgia with our Georgian colleagues, but I think my trip will be inappropriate at the moment, taking into account the situation there [in South Ossetia],? Russian news agencies quoted Vladimir Putin as saying.

During a meeting in Moscow in February this year, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his Russian counterpart agreed over Putin?s visit to Georgia in September.

Vladimir Putin also denounced Tbilisi?s position that the conflict in South Ossetia has turned into conflict between the two counties ? Russia and Georgia. Tbilisi is accusing Moscow of backing South Ossetian separatists.

?I want to remind people that this conflict [in South Ossetia] erupted after the collapse of the Soviet Union. After becoming independent, Georgia announced that it is revoking the autonomous status of South Ossetia. Ethnic conflict erupted after this very foolish decision,? Vladimir Putin said.