Russia vows to protect S Ossetia

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin vowed August 2009 to protect the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a year after it recognised their independence.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Conflict history: Georgia http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-georgia-2/

ESO: Background information: Russians to boost Abkhazia bases http://www.europeansources.info/record/russians-to-boost-abkhazia-bases/

ITAR-TASS, 26.8.09: Putin invites S Ossetia to become transit state for Russian natural gas http://www.itar-tass.com/en/

---