Tension between Russia and Georgia has mounted again over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the two de-facto independent territories. The breakaway republics have signed a treaty with Moscow which allows the Russian Federation to assist and protect their borders with Georgia, the country to which, de jure, they are part of. The agreement was made public at a joint press conference in Moscow, and may result in Russia deploying more troops in the Caucasian region after having withdrawn most of them last August.

According to Associated Press, Russian president Dmitri Medvedev said the deal was "without a doubt, a political act" of "friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance". The three countries have also signed an agreement on cooperation and interaction between Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Abkhazia's State Security Service, and South Ossetia's State Security Committee.

Neither Georgia nor its Western allies have approved the announcement. According to Civil.ge, Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has said that Russia is trying to "legalize occupation" of the secessionist territories, while the US and the EU consider the agreement a violation of the cease-fire deal, which called for all forces to withdraw to positions held before August hostilities.

Medvedev accused Georgia of deploying more troops along the border with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and called an "open provocation" the military exercises NATO is preparing in Georgian territory.

Further information:

• RFE/RL: Russia Steps Up Cooperation With Breakaway Georgian Regions
• Nationalia:South Ossetia regrets Russian investment has not reached the republic to reconstruct buildings after war