'It’s impossible to isolate Russia' – Medvedev
from Russia Today

The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has criticised the EU, saying Monday's emergency summit in Brussels failed to acknowledge Georgia's aggressive role in the Caucasus conflict. In an interview with Euronews, he also said Russia would not be isolated from the international community.

Speaking at his summer residence in Sochi on the Black Sea, the Russian leader told Euronews he had followed the summit closely.

Medvedev said the meeting showed that: “unfortunately, there is still no understanding of Russia's motives in making the decision to repulse Georgia's aggression, and in making the decision to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia as subjects of international law. This is deplorable but not fatal, because in this world, things change”, he said.

Medvedev went on to say the EU was taking a pragmatic stance over the conflict: ”Even though the EU countries were somewhat divided on this issue, a reasonable and realistic approach prevailed. Some countries called for some imaginary sanctions and punishments but it didn't happen. And I think Europe, primarily the European Union, is better off this way,” Medvedev said.

The president also pointed out that Russia had not been ostracised by the international community.

”Russia doesn't want to be isolated, and in fact it is impossible to isolate Russia. The fact of the matter is, after this recognition we all should consider the security architecture we want to have in our complex world in the years to come. It is totally obvious to me that the events that started with Georgian aggression on August 8 made this issue very urgent. The former security architecture proved itself ineffective”.