Georgia pulls out ambassador after Russian jet spotted

Published on Friday 11 July 2008 00:49

GEORGIA recalled its ambassador from Moscow yesterday after Russia admitted its fighter jets had entered Georgian airspace earlier this week.

Georgia's pro-Western government is locked in confrontation with Russia over two Georgian regions – South Ossetia and Abkhazia – which have rejected Tbilisi's rule and are receiving support from Moscow.

"We will take some aggressive diplomatic steps in order to respond adequately to Russia's actions. One such step is that from today, we are recalling our ambassador in Russia for consultations," Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili, the Georgian foreign minister said.

Mikheil Saakashvili, the Georgian president, said the overflights showed Russia's disdain for international law. The move came hours after Condoleezza Rice the US Secretary of State warned Russia against stoking up tension. On a visit to Tbilisi she said Russia "needs to be a part of resolving the problem and not contributing to it".