Russia ‘ready for’ new Cold War

Russian President Dimitry Medvedev appeared to set Russia on course for a new Cold War with the West yesterday, when he signed a decree recognising independence of Georgia's breakaway provinces South Ossetia and Abkhazia. "We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a Cold War," he said, signalling that the Kremlin was ready to fight. "Russia is a state which has to ensure its interests along the whole length of its border. This is absolutely clear."

The move flouted UN security council resolutions and was instantly condemned by Washington. US President George W Bush urged Russia to "reconsider this irresponsible decision."

He warned: "Russia's action only exacerbates tensions and complicates diplomatic negotiations."

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband called for the "widest possible" international coalition against Russia's actions. "Today's announcement further inflames an already tense situation in the region," he said.

"We fully support Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow. We again call on Russia to abide by international law as the basis for resolving this crisis; and to implement urgently and in full Russia's commitments to withdraw forces."

In an address to the nation, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili called Russia's declaration "illegal" and "an attempt to change Europe's borders by force." Calling an emergency meeting of its national security council, he accused Moscow of annexing a large slice of Georgia's territory.