Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
צילום: AP
Medvedev: Russia to withdraw from Georgia next month
Russian president says troops to pull out of Georgian territory once EU monitors deployed. Sarkozy: Russia-EU talks should resume following withdrawal
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday that Russian troops will pull out of Georgian territory outside of South Ossetia and Abkhazia after European Union monitors deploy next month.
Medvedev also says international talks on the conflict in Georgia will be held beginning October 15 in Geneva. He spoke at a news conference in Moscow after talks with visiting French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
The Russian leader insists Russia is complying with terms of the ceasefire Sarkozy negotiated last month. He also says Russian troops will pull out of the area near the Black Sea port of Poti and nearby areas in the next seven days, but only if Georgia signs a pledge to not use force against Abkhazia.
Sarkozy, for his part, said if Russia implements its latest Georgia pullout deal there would be no reason for EU-Russia talks not to go ahead in October.
"If this document is implemented... There would be no reason for the meetings between Russia and Europe that were postponed from September, should not take place from the month of October," he said.
