Moscow - The East-West conflict is deteriorating dramatically. In the dispute over the breakaway Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev threatens the West now, even with a new Cold War.
Despite all the warnings from Europe and the USA, Moscow has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia on Tuesday as independent states, and placed under their military protection.
Medvedev's reasoning: the only way Russia can protect its citizens living there from attacks of Georgian troops.
The Kremlin leader once again raised serious allegations against Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili. This had "chosen the genocide to solve his political tasks."
Russia hailed by the crisis regions are now virtually annexed (the local population with the step joyful celebrations on the streets), the Kremlin has duped the West, which insists on the territorial integrity of Georgia.
Combative echoed Medvedev in the direction of NATO, Europe and USA: "We are afraid of nothing, not even the prospect of a new Cold War." You do not want this, but hang in this situation, "everything from the attitude of our partners" .
Chancellor Angela Merkel sharply criticized. Russia's action was "contrary to international law" and "absolutely unacceptable". Merkel wants to try now is a "direct conversation" with Medvedev.
Foreign Minister Stein Meier said that Moscow's behavior was "unacceptable under any circumstances". His Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt gave Russia a "playing with fire before."
Remained open whether the West is planning sanctions against Russia. A Bureau of the Kremlin party United Russia already scoffed: "The West will do nothing. And he should try it, he gets penalties. For example, we will turn off the gas. "
