Saakashvili accuses Russia of trying to redraw the map

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has given his country’s reaction to Russia’s decision to recognise the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Speaking in a televised address, he said:
“Russia’s decision confirms that its invasion of Georgia was part of a broader, pre-meditated plan to redraw the map of Europe. Russia has violated all treaties and all agreements that it has previously signed. Today, by its actions, the Russian Federation is seeking to validate the use of violence, direct military aggression and ethnic cleansing to forcibly change the borders of a neighbouring state.”