LAND-GRABBING RUSSIANS ‘ARE THE NEW NAZIS’

But in a chilling statement of his nation’s determination, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said he was “not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a new Cold War”.

The tension grew after President Medvedev announced he had signed a decree granting the two breakaway states official recognition. US president George Bush had begged Moscow to “meet its commitments” by refusing to acknowledge the “separatist regions.”

As the diplomatic crisis escalated, Russian troops remained deep within Georgian territory, despite promises of a withdrawal. The Kremlin’s action appeared to confirm that the world was on the brink of returning to the Cold War for the first time since the fall of communism 17 years ago.

Announcing that his government regarded South Ossetia and Abkhazia as sovereign states, President Medvedev claimed it was a move for peace.

“This is not an easy choice but this is the only chance to save people’s lives,” he said.

In a further challenge, he warned: “We are not afraid of anything, including the prospect of a new Cold War.”

Both houses of the Russian parliament had voted unanimously to support the recognition, but their decisions were not binding on the president.

Mr Miliband said: “We fully support Georgia’s independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow.” He added: “Today’s announcement by President Medvedev is unjustifiable and unacceptable.

“It will also not work. It is contrary to the principles of the peace agreement, which Russia recently agreed, and to recent Russian statements.

“It takes no account of the views of the hundreds of thousands of Georgians and others who have been forced to abandon their homes in the two territories.”

Mr Miliband said he would be visiting Ukraine tomorrow to assemble the “widest possible coalition against Russian aggression”.

Russia’s posturing is likely to weaken Georgia, a western ally  and a major route for energy supplies to Europe.

Moscow sent tanks and troops over its neighbour’s borders earlier this month in a five-day war, which it claimed was justified to deal with a military threat.

A Foreign Office spokesman added to Mr Miliband’s statement by “categorically rejecting” Russian’s recognition of the regions.

“This is contrary to the obligations Russia has repeatedly taken on in UN security council resolutions,” he said. “It does nothing to improve the prospects of peace in the Caucasus.”

US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice called the move “regrettable”, and German chancellor Angela Merkel said it was “absolutely unacceptable”.

EU leaders are due to meet in Brussels next week to discuss their response.