Russia is facing increased Western pressure today as the British foreign secretary, David Miliband, arrives in Ukraine to build a coalition to counter Russia's conflict with Georgia. The United States, Nato and European powers condemned as unacceptable Russia's recognition yesterday of two breakaway Georgian regions as independent states, and demanded Moscow recognise Georgia's territorial integrity. Mr Miliband is due in Kiev to meet the leadership of Ukraine, home to a large Russian-speaking population and a major Russian naval base.
"I am holding talks today with international partners and will be visiting Ukraine to ensure the widest possible coalition against Russian aggression in Georgia," Mr Miliband said. Ukraine, like Georgia, has angered Moscow by actively seeking membership of Nato. But divisions within the pro-Western camp there may complicate Mr Miliband's mission. The president of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, believes Ukraine should enter Nato and the European Union but the prime minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, has grown cool towards Nato membership, which is unpopular with voters.
George W Bush condemned Moscow's decision to recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia yesterday, saying they must remain part of Georgia. "Russia's action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations," Mr Bush said in a statement from his Texas ranch. The Russian president, Demitri Medvedev, said Tbilisi's desire to seize back Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force had killed all hopes for their peaceful coexistence in one state with Georgia.
Russian tanks and troops continue to occupy parts of Georgia after crushing Tbilisi's bid to retake South Ossetia ? the first time Moscow has sent troops into another country since the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. France earlier this month brokered a ceasefire in the conflict and the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she would talk to Russia's leadership before Monday's emergency EU summit on the crisis to get the bloc's viewpoint across.
"I think each and every member state is very clear, that it is of the utmost importance to find a common position, and I am going to do whatever I can so that we succeed," she said. * Reuters
