Georgia accuses Russia of annexing Abkhazia and South Ossetia and threatens to stop relations

Georgian relations with Russia "are stopped for long if not forever." This was stated today by Alexander (Kakha) Lomaya, Secretary of the Council of National Security of Georgia, in his comments to the decision of Russian President Dmitri Medvedev on unilateral recognition of self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Speaking live on air of the "Echo Moskvy" Radio, Mr Lomaya has noted that Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia's and South Ossetia's independence "can't have any legal consequences for Georgia."

In his turn, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Giga Bokeriya has treated Russia's decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South as a "barefaced annexation," the "News-Georgia" Agency reports.

Political scientist Zurab Abashidze, former Georgia's ambassador to NATO and Russia, believes that Russia's decision to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia is a dangerous step that changes the situation in the Caucasian region and beyond. "I think it's a very dangerous step, which creates a completely new situation in Georgia, the Caucasian region, around it and far beyond. Russia has made a great blunder," said Mr Abashidze.

The political scientist has noted that the Georgian party's responsibility for its mistakes, which had resulted in today's situation, should also be recognized.