Russian Troop Removal Completed Today?
Russia say it expects to complete troop withdrawal from Georgia sometime today. Russia’s Colonel General Anatoly Nagovitsyn said the troops are in “full compliance” with agreements, but are not cooperating with NATO. (Source)
Nagovitsyn told CNN, “Yes, we refrain from the exercises, but it is only a response. It is not the Russian side that provoked it.”
Troop removal has been slow-going, leading some to wonder whether Russia intended to leave at all or to honor a cease-fire agreement. As it turns out, Russia accused Georgia of violating the agreement.
Earlier this month, Russian troops marched into South Ossetia and Georgian territory after Georgia attacked the province. Was Russia’s response justified? That remains to be seen. In the meantime, Russia is not happy about our country’s involvement in the conflict or our agreement with Poland and the Czech Republic to set up missile defense systems in those countries.
Are we in the midst of the Second Cold War?
(Photo source: Reuters)
Tags: Anatoly Nagovitsyn, Georgia, Russia