Mironov: Russia may use force to defend its compatriots in South Ossetia and Abkhazia

If necessary, Russia will defend its citizens living in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Sergey Mironov, Speaker of the Federation Council, has stated today, having noted that Russia has also the right to apply force, if required.

"Our statement about possible application of force in Abkhazia and South Ossetia proceeds from the fact that many Russian citizens live there. Should their lives be in danger, or in case of other threats against our citizens, Russia shall have the right to use force to defend them," the "Interfax" quotes Mironov as saying during his working trip to Penza.

We remind you that on April 25 Valery Kenyaikin, Special Representative of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for relations with the CIS member countries, stated that should the Georgian party unfold a military conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Russia will apply military methods to defend its countrymen.

At the same time, as RIA "Novosti" reports, Sergey Mironov wished not to have the situations, when Russia would have to undertake any tough steps in the region.

In the opinion of Dmitri Rogozin, Russia's permanent representative at the NATO, Georgia behaves provocatively towards Russia in the situation with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

"Caucasian Knot" has already informed that today David Bakradze, Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the NATO Board sitting, where he will stand for winding down Russia's participation in peacemaking process in Abkhazia through its active substitution by EU and OSCE.