Russia recognizes independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia - UPDATED

18:45

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev instructed the Foreign Ministry to initiate talks on establishment of diplomatic relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, according to the press service for the Kremlin, RIA Novosti reports.

Medveded instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to "hold talks with participation of the concerned federal bodies of executive powers" with South Ossetia and Abkhazia on preparation of a draft agreement on friendship, cooperation and mutual support and present the proposal for signing to him".

Before the conclusion of these contracts, the president empowered to the Russian Defense Ministry to ensure fulfillment of functions for peacekeeping by the Russian armed forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

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16:35

"I have signed decrees to recognize independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, considering the free will of Ossetian and Abkhazian people, adhering to regulations of the UN Charter, declaration of 1970 on principles of international law, regarding friendly relations between states, Helsinki final act of OSCE of 1975, other basic international documents", said the Russian president in his speech on TV Tuesday.

He said Russia calls on other states to follow this pattern. "This is a difficult choice, but it is also the only opportunity to save people's lives", said Medvedev.

It should be noted that on Monday, both parties of the Russian parliament appealed to the Russian president to recognize independence of these self-declared formations.

/RIA Novosti/