Russia’s formal recognition of two separist Georgian provinces has the White House responding with a statement calling it “irrational” behavior that is rejected by the world. The U.S. plans to use its veto power on the U.N. Security Council to make sure the international community rejects this move that is an obvious attempt to legitimatize their invasion of Georgia.

Russia has announced that they will grant full diplomatic recognition to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Medvedev, the president of Russia, said Georgia forced Russia’s hand by trying to reassert control by force in the smaller of the two regions, South Ossetia, on Aug. 7. In this way, he is claiming his nation had a justification for their move, which now consists of Russia controlling a third of Georgian territory, well beyond the territory discussed in the cease-fire agreement signed more than a week ago. Russia fails to fully comply with the cease-fire agreement, which also calls for international input to settle the future of the two breakaway regions.

The regions in question do in fact seek independence from Georgia and eventual annexation by Russia, but that is an excuse for a much larger agenda launched when Russia invaded Georgia, many believe.

Meanwhile, United States military ships stand by bearing aid to Georgia while its port cities remain patrolled by Russian troops.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has stated that Russia has no business declaring the provinces independent of U.S.-backed Georgia while the United Nations Security Council on which Russia sits has declared that the regions are part of Georgia.

Rice said the U.S. regards Abkhazia and South Ossetia as “part of the internationally recognized borders of Georgia.”

The United States is trying to stand firm, while not trying to escalate anything. Russia is aware of the United States’ desire to keep this conflict on relatively peaceful footing. Putin’s Russia knows we wish to not allow what Russia has done to go without consequences. However, the Russians also realize that America is in an election season, the olympics are in full swing, and America does not wish to create a conflict that could jeopardize other international situations the U.S. is currently engaged in.

That does not mean, however, that the U.S. has not been considering a possible punishment against Russia for their military actions in Georgia, and their threats against Poland. To many Americans, the drive of Russian tanks and troops into undisputed Georgian territory is being viewed as a repeat of Soviet-style intervention.

by Douglas V. Gibbs