Russia recognises rebel regions as independent
Aug 27th, 2008 | By David Harper | Category: WorldThe Sydney Morning Herald: Russia has formally recognised the Georgian rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states in a new challenge to the West that drew sharp warnings of consequences.
Flanked by two Russian flags, President Dmitry Medvedev announced he had signed decrees recognising the independence of the two regions at the heart of the conflict that erupted this month in Georgia.