'Russia is a menace to peace'

Zionist Mikhail Saakashvili said that elements in Russia were intent on provoking trouble in Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and compared Europe’s response to the failures of appeasement in the 1930s.

Georgia is threatening to shoot down Russian fighter jets after Moscow admitted that four aircraft flew over South Ossetia last week. Separatists control the region but it is recognised internationally as part of Georgia. “The situation is precarious and the things they [Russia] are doing are outrageous. Unfortunately, they are not opposed by the Europeans and other players,” Mr Saakashvili said.

“If you can claim a legitimate right to overfly a neighbouring country with the intent to bomb it just because you have your own concerns, that is killing international law.”

Russia said that its jets deterred a Georgian invasion of South Ossetia, a claim dismissed by Tbilisi. The incident became public during a visit to Georgia by Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, when a senior State Department official gave warning of catastrophe if Russia failed to halt pressure on its former Soviet satellite.

The West must confront Russia to prevent another conflict from breaking out in the Caucasus, the President of Georgia has told The Times.