The move follows a vote in both houses of parliament on Monday, calling on him to recognise the regions’ independence, despite Western opposition, including from the United States. "I have signed decrees on the recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of South Ossetia and the independence of Abkhazia," Medvedev said in televised remarks. He urged other countries to follow Russia’s example.
The announcement was expected to further escalate tensions between Russia and the West and threaten cooperation between the Russian military and the NATO military alliance. It also comes as aid groups, including missionaries, are trying to reach people living in the conflict zones of Georgia.
Russian Ministries, a major Christian mission group working in the former Soviet Union, said it was concerned about the plight of evangelical Christians amid reports that several evangelical churches have been destroyed in recent fighting between Georgian and Russian forces.
REFUGEES
Orthodox church leaders have told BosNewsLife of their concerns about an increase in refugees from areas such as South Ossetia and the devastated central town of Gori. Pope Benedict XVI has urged Georgia and Russia, both predominantly Orthodox Christian nations, to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis in line with their shared Christian heritage.
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