Mikhail Saakashvili’s claims are a blatant lie, according to Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who spoke to journalists in Moscow ahead of a meeting regarding the establishment of diplomatic ties with his counterp

“At yesterday’s press-conference Mr. Saakashvili told a blatant lie in the presence of both the French President and the EU chairman. He once again stated that Russia began the war leading to the subsequent occupation, not Georgia”.

“The document signed by both the Russian and French president states that international discussions on the conflict will start on October 15th. The participants in the talks are not listed in the documents, but we have made it clear that both South Ossetia and Abkhazia must have fully-fledged roles in the discussions. The security and stability of the region are set to top the agenda,” Lavrov said.

To watch Sergey Lavrov’s press-conference in full follow the link.

The Russian FM also stated that the EU will take the role of guaranteeing that Georgia does not use further force, while OSCE military observers will be deployed only around South Ossetia.

According to Lavrov, Russia is already finalizing the legal base for relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Furthermore, Lavrov said that Russia’s recognition of the two countries is ‘final and irreversible’. However he went on to say that Russian representation in future international missions around Abkhazia and South Ossetia is not crucial.