Kouchner: Russia may now destabilise other countries too

Paris - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner voiced fears Wednesday that Russia may destabilise other countries following its recognition of two Georgian breakaway regions.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev formally recognized on Tuesday the breakaway territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia after Russian lawmakers on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to that effect.

Russia had "acted outside international law," Kouchner told French radio station Europe-1. "Other targets" for Russia now could be "the Crimea, Ukraine, Moldova."

"We cannot accept these violations of international law" and "the taking of a territory by the army of a neighbouring country," Kouchner said.

He said there was evidence that people loyal to Georgia were being expelled from South Ossetia.

Kouchner said the European Union would respond to Russia's actions at a meeting on Monday. France currently holds the EU's presidency. (dpa)

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