Albert Einstein was asked about the most powerfull weapon of the ThirdWorldWar. He answered: I dont know about the most powerfull weapon of the ThirdWorldWar, but the most powerfull weapon of the FourthWorldWar will be stone axe. Lets live in peace.

Alex, Moscow, Russai

Just because Russia has oil, it thinks it is a first world country. Withut The West agreeing to import Russia's oil, it will be bankrupt.

It's not an agreement: it's a necessity...

Leonard, Sardinia,

You don't have to confront Russia with the entire EU, only with its former slaves--whoops!--satellites.
Russia: 140 m vs
Ukraine: 40 m(sans ethnRus)
Poland: 38,Latvia,Lithu,Est: 6.5,Hungary: 10,Czech/Slo: 15

Stay united! Then Rus. cannot pick you off one by one. Someone else did that. Who?

Mary Cunningham, London, UK

It is important that the West tells Russia with one voice that enough is enough. Cold War #2 will have the same result as Cold War #1, i.e.
West 1: Russia 0.
Just because Russia has oil, it thinks it is a first world country. Withut The West agreeing to import Russia's oil, it will be bankrupt.

Peter, Canberra, Australia

‘Where can we send funds to the people of Chechnya who like the South Ossetians are being persecuted by their sovereign state?’
John, Sydnet, Australia

Indeed the people of Chechnya voted to live in Russia. I think if Russian people could vote that it might be possible they to say NO. However it has been because of Chechen criminals to live in inner parts of Russia.

Alexey, Moscow,

The ex captive nations of Eastern and Central Europe wish to make friends with those who do not threaten them&desire to occupy&oppress them.A peaceful civilized& democratic Russia is one thing &would be welcomed, an authoritarian expansionist&aggressive Russia is another .Preservation of freedom #1.

Dr Andris Lielmanis, Brampton, Canada.

Where can we send funds to the people of Chechnya who like the South Ossetians are being persecuted by their sovereign state?

John, Sydnet, Australia

Poland, Georgia and Ukraine (along with the Balts) have lost their heads. Why don't they understand the reality of geography. You can't choose your relatives or your neighbours. So choose your friends carefully. Look at the terrible lesson learnt by Tbilisi! Small nations must respect big ones.

Rakesh Krishnan, Auckland, New Zealand

If the Russians killed one EU citizens for every Russian citizen, there would be 357,013,013 EU citizens left and zero Russians. They should consider this before they start the killing.>>>
-
Russa has no need to kill no EU citizen: it is enogh if EU citizens remember where their gas come from...

Leonard, Sardinia,

Marco, consider what would happen if Russians kill one Pole for every Russian citizen.

Zloy Tugarin, Moscow, Russia

i) impossible. you've tried and failed before ii) Europe would wipe Russia off the face of the world.

Marco, Kraków, Poland

If the Russians killed one EU citizens for every Russian citizen, there would be 357,013,013 EU citizens left and zero Russians. They should consider this before they start the killing.>>>

Deadly math :(

Marco, consider what would happen if Russians kill one Pole for every Russian citizen.

Zloy Tugarin, Moscow, Russia

To Boris and Alexi: I was in Moscow 10 times, never lived in a hotel (let alone luxury hotels), roamed around the megalopolis back and forth by feet, by bus and by metro . How come I have never seen any breadline ?
Use metaphors with care: US may think they REALLY still exist (naivety, y'know...) .

Leonard, Sardinia,

If the Russians killed one EU citizens for every Russian citizen, there would be 357,013,013 EU citizens left and zero Russians. They should consider this before they start the killing.

Marco, Kraków, Poland

Oleg, Moscow, Russia

That time Moscow had an escuse...it was the soviets...what is today?

Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK

Today it was the georgians...

Leonard, Sardinia,

Oleg, Moscow, Russia

That time Moscow had an escuse...it was the soviets...what is today?

Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK

Be wary of Aeroflot flights carrying "tourists" ,requesting a runway due to engine problems -once they land they turn into Spetznaz commandos .I for one , would prefer a pretty lass popping out of a cake...

Jon, Austin, USA

‘Many ordinary Russian people do not even know that the Soviet Union invaded Poland in 1940 so it comes as no surprise to read the indignant and vitriolic Russian comments.’

Howard, London, UK

It is even more to surprise me you do not know about the Curzon line. In 1920 Poland occupied a territory beyond the line. In 1940 the USSR just returned the area back; at present the land belongs to Ukraine and Belarus.

Alexey, Moscow,

Steve, San Jose, CA – Do not trust history to be written in the USA. Russian Federation did not exist as an independent country between 1917 and 1991; hence it could not invade anywhere.

Alexey, Moscow,

AJ, SD, USA – I would like to inform you S. Korea recently began investigation of American war crime there. As far as is known long ago from reliable sources there were killed at least 2.5 million peaceful peasants when American pilots bombing in both parts of Korea their villages without any military objects to stay there. Most likely it is the biggest war crime during the world history.

Alexey, Moscow,

Medvedev issued a needed ultimetum to the ilk of Saakashvili that a heavy price will have to be paid if Russian citizens are attacked anywhere that used to be part of ex-USSR. Passports' genuineness is tangential.

Did he say that Russia is going to protect ex-Russians in Georgia, USA? He did not.

Dr Alok Bhattacharyya, London, UK

Pretty tough talk from a President who is afraid of his own prime minister.

Who will our all powerful army crush next? Andorra, the Cook Islands, the Vatican?!

Alexy, Moscow, RUSSIA

The safest thing to do is to make sure that the "russians"living in Western Europe are quickly re-patried to Russia so to avoid any misundersting in the future. Western people working over there are not being renewed work permits (BP) then we should do the same. Russia will not have future escuses.

Anthony L, Chelmsford, UK

You give us glorious victories Mr. President but all we want is bread.

Alex, Moscow, Russian Federation

Most fascists came to power on the backs of a system created by socialists, Hitler and Mussolini included. If Putin is not going the same way then he should resign and let Medvedev do his job.

The situation is embarressing. Who is in charge in Russia?

P. Gadd, London,

We are at the moment in time just like Hitler invading the Sudetenland. If Russia is not made to pay a price then we will all pay in the end. This whole thing was orchestrated by Moscow. South Ossetia fired artillery into Georgia to set this off. KGB dirty tricks department is back in operation.

Dan, Grand Rapids,Mi, USA

People!
Poland & Finland 1939, Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968 - It was at other, socialist government of the USSR. You do not compare the todays president of Germany to Hitler?

Oleg, Moscow, Russia

Of course this rhetoric was for internal consumption. Medvedev needs to show his voters that he is more than just a glove puppet but a man of action who is firmly in charge. Meanwhile those of us standing "in the bread queues" are suitably unimpressed.

Boris, Moscow, Russia

@ Andrey, Moscow

People in Georgia don't need to read Russian websites they can see with their own eyes your "peacekeepers" blocking Georgian roads.

You spread your truth and we'll live ours.

PS
Evidence of "genocide" still awaited.

Zaza, Yevlakh,

Can people stop calling Westerners hypocrits? Just because our governments took us to war doesn't mean we supported or agreed with their actions, however Russian responses on here seem to show a clear enthusiasm for the brutality in Georgia.

Margot, Fife,

I don't think anyone is trying to say that America's actions were always warranted. Remember that what a government does with the country's military is a lot of the time not supported by its citizens, and it is a little irresponsible for people to form assumptions of a country's people on that fact.

Dustin, Stroudsburg, US

Will, I read Medvedev’s speech in original (Russian) language carefully enough and did not find any words about "ethnic Russians". He was talking about Russian soldiers and officers - PEACEKEEPERS.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

Now is the time for all U.S. citizen's to leave Russia.

Rudy, Washington DC, USA

"Can everyone cool it for a second. This is one planet. It's small."

How's that working for you dude? Not very well, I see dimplomacy really works.

Tim, Fort Lauderdale, USA

Planet Emergency: Please all people in the world-rally to fix international sytem-please rescue the UN. All of this means the whole world has a lot of work to do together. Get rid of all nukes-verify by having observers from all countries in all countries. Start now. We are all earthlings! Peace!

Karen, Juneau, USA

It isn't about South Ossetia. The Russian Federation want to show those countries (it feels are in its influence sphere) that if they make deals with the west that harm Russia's interests the west will not come to their aid. It is to show just how much these tiny nations can rely on the US or NATO.

Clifton, Oklahoma City, United states

After reading all of these posts criticizing the United States, I believe that I am speaking for all Americans when I say:

Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't

If you find yourself in trouble, who are you going to ask for help?

Mike, Philadelphia, USA

This is the result of wrong U.S. & E.U. handling of the Caspian Crisis. Congratulations to our leaders.

Stefano Beduschi, MìPontida, Italy

Russians murdered in Great Purge = ?
Russians murdered in Gulag = ?
Russians buried in mass graves = ?
Did the thinking that led to these circumstances die with the victims?
Dmitry Medvedev presumably made his statement without a hint of irony.

Terence Park, Burnley,

S. Ossetia was an autonmous regions in Georgia. Accordint to USSR laws it gained independence from USSR on a referendum the same way as Georgia. So Georgia has the same rights on this soil as Russia has on Georgia.

Dan, Yoshkar Ola, Russia

Thank God at last Ola from Miami speaks sense, Britain the USA etc have disgusting double standards. Everyone seems to forget that Georgia was the first aggressor, attacking South Georgia.
Where is the condemnation of that act?

T Skitmore, London, UK

ola, miami, usa -I'm not sure in what school of intl law you're referring to when you say Russia's within it's rights. If a county in Northern Vermont had a large pop. of armed Canadians that decided the county should break from the US and join Canada do you think the US would allow it? Think again

Mike, Washington Depot, USA

I am gratified to hear from our fellow citizens of the world - our Russian brothers. They used to be so oppressed, you'd always wonder WHAT ARE THEY THINKING? They have interests and needs too! Heaven bless them all !!! Help us stand together against tyranny and that we may choose what's right!!

Patriot, NC, USA

We are not the world's policeman. We should leave well alone. Everytime we get involved the cost of living seems to rise. The pips are squeaking now. No more thankyou

V Cooper, Somerset, UK

Russia is saying in essence to the U.S. and Britain ,etc. don't meddle in our backyard. Afterall, the U.S. almost went berserk and nuclear, when Russia put missles into Cuba and played around at a distance of 90 miles from the U.S. This is power politics, pure and simple.

Bobby, Long Beach, U.S.A.

James, Dayton, Ohio, United States : First and foremost S.Osetia is not part of Russia but its Georgia. So Saakashvilii did not attack Russia.

Mateusz, Poznań, Poland

Alex, Novgorod, Russia : This is the point. There is no FREE MASS MEDIA , in Russia. For example NG shows pictures from Gori as some other Cities bombarded by Georgians. Do not try to say that all World press is dependendt to Bush while Russian is the only trustworthy

Anna, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Just to stand back and take words like that without a response? Politicians of Europe, i call on you in the name of Europe's continued existence, respond. One way or another, do something to protect your people - or simply resign immediately.

Marco, Kraków, Poland

And after the recession comes the war.. Every so often the bourgaise have to re-invent themselves and your lucky numbers are 14-18 39-45 12-22?

Karl, Leeds, England

"American meddling in SOuth America, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Isreal, Serbia, Vietnam, Korea, and generally anywhre their is Oil, hence they do no cry much with what is happening in Africa, unless it involves oil...

That's rich. Especially coming from the country that tried to colonize the world.

Leland, Dover, USA

"...Russia will begin to throw its weight around in defence of the millions of ethnic Russians who live outside the motherland."

This looks to be more rhetoric than promise. There are, after all, hundreds of russian jews that moved to Israel. I do not think Russia will fight for them as well.

Will, Dallas,

Andorra must be trembling.

John, Clifden, Eire

IG, it does not matter how many ossetians Saakashvili killed. He used weapon of mass destruction - rocket system "Grad" - against the civil population of Tshinvaly. He attacked this city traitorously in the night immediately after the agreement about peace negotiation which had to begun on August 9.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

What does Russia produce, apart from oil, gas, and tanks?
Seriously, I have no idea.

John Weaver, San Javier, Spain

We must realise that American missile defence shields are making the Russians extremely edgy - and rightly so. The only reason the cold war ceased was the 100% certainity that each nation would annihalate the other. Without this premise Mr Putin feels the need to flex his muscles(what's left of them

j wilson, KILMARNOCK, scotland

To Steve from Philadelphia

What you say is practically exactly what Hitler was saying about the Russians starting the war. When the Russians, Ukranians, Georgians were fighting the Germans and spent 30 millions of lives, they were just humans fighting for their land and children - not communists

Ilya, S-Petersburg, Russia

Where it says 'The meek shall inherit the Earth'...Is it going over to the west then ?

kirk, Rotherham, UK

We all know by now that the "two thousand dead civilian ossetians" was just a lie. Your leadership hated Saakashvili too much, and was aching to regain international "respect" that in the traditions of Soviet culture they understand as being feared.

IG, Minneapolis, USA

The main problem of the European countries and the United States: they almost know nothing about Russians, about our history, and, of course, about real situation in South Ossetia. It is a pity(

Viktor, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

To Flaneur,

Medvedev did say "in the history of the new Russian history", not a word was mentioned about the Soviet period. Where did you take the quote from? Once again..

I do hate communists, and totalitarism. But Russia was totally right protecting tens of thousands people from slaugte

Ilya, S-Petersburg, Russia

To Richard in Bucharest:
You seem to be one of the most hardened anti-Russian posters here, but your last one is outrageous)))
When was the last victorious CRUSH from Bucharest?

Andrei, Moscow,

Guess what? Had Georgia not tried to get their genocide on in an area with over %90 russian citizenship when they realized they were trying to rejoin russia, maybe this wouldn't have happened. "Democratic" Georgia that kills those who don't want to be a part of it.

Mike, Boblingen, Germany

People in Russia can watch CNN, BBC, Deutche Welle, read American and Georgian websites, forums.. So, we have DIFFERENT sources of information, which allows us to make more truthful picture of the events in Georgia. People in Georgia may watch only government TV, ALL Russian websites are blocked..

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

All people of the World, why do you quarrel? Why must we obey orders of our government and kill each other? We are one nation! We are humans of EARTH. I hate all principles of authority, because main principle is "share and dominate". We are all one nation,One race of humans.

Don, Naberezhnye Chelny, Planet of Earth

I am tired of being an European. Politicians of the EU, get your act toghether! The EU is a madhouse! Europe and US should stand together always! Morocco will invade Spain or Poland England to protect their citizens?with no warning or discussion in the UN? Who still defends Russia but their citizens

Enrique, London, UK

"Time is right for the Russian armed forces to support democratic Russian people in ousting Putin and Medvedev. Is there a Russian democrat waiting in the wings?"

Colin, Lincoln, UK

We sooner expect St Nicholas to return than democracy.

Boris, Moscow, Russia

Putin is determined to become the Hitler of the 21st century.

Mark, California, United States Of America

Cody of Milwaukee as it turned out there was no case but your still there.

walpar, Ringwood, Australia

Here's the krux of the matter as I see it.

The Russians are scared. The Missile Defense Shield essentially takes away their first strike capability. If they launch, we take out their ICBMs and go forward with second strike conventions.

And guess who doesn't have a shield?

MAD is temporarily moot.

Drew, Southern California, USA

To Steve From Philadelphia:
"Collectively, Russians do not have the maturity, morality and self-discipline "
Thank you for endorsing the global image of America!

Andrei, Moscow,

Russia threatens to "protect" with force Russian citizens wherever they are. Are the 500,000 Russians living in Berlin also included? The former Soviet occupiers of East Germany have mainly settled in the rich West, most of them in the posh Charlottenburg district, which they also call “Charlottograd”. If the Kremlin logic gets its way, Russia could one day “liberate” Berlin again or any other European city. Poor old Mother Russia, you certainly can do better than this!

Ralph Kappler, Berlin,

We see that mass media in USA and West Europe now looks like mass media in Russia during the Stalin's authority.
They think that Georgia is democratic country becouse there are only two president's chanals on TV, only one party in government and president using only violence against people in Geor

Lily, Moscow , Russia

Steve, this may be true of mail-order brides but not of real Russians. We only sell the rejects.

Boris, Moscow, Russia

Time is right for the Russian armed forces to support democratic Russian people in ousting Putin and Medvedev. Is there a Russian democrat waiting in the wings?

Colin, Lincoln, UK

The fighting in Georgia could shut down NASA manned space missions for years, fears a U.S. senator.
Between the years 2010, when the last space shuttle launches, and 2015, when its replacement the Orion crew vehicle is scheduled
Any Brains arround war mongers

guarapo, Caracas , Venezuela

Brad in Seattle needs to let go of his knee-jerk hatred of Republicans. Just because the American war machine would like to take an aggressive stance toward Russia, that doesn't mean that Russia is right. How would America feel if Mexico invaded Texas to protect the rights of Mexican citizens?

Mitch, Moscow, Russia

Many ordinary Russian people do not even know that the Soviet Union invaded Poland in 1940 so it comes as no surprise to read the indignant and vitriolic Russian comments.

Tell me how the City of Kaliningrad (Königsberg) exists, actually, I do know the answer to this - but who else does?

Howard, London, UK

I just wonder if people calling to take on Russian Air Force thing that will be like Iraq or Afganistan. If 9-11 just 2 buildings and 2,000 dead in 300 million people country stopped the US for 2 days what will happen in a nuke war.
Have any brain, think about it

guarapo, Caracas , Venezuela

I love Canada, they are America's best ally in terms of goods and services. We should both understand how important we are to each other.

To those Canadians posting here dissing the USA... We are the only thing standing between the free world and spread of communism.

ChrisJ, Fairfax, USA

press freedom... the kind of freedom, like CNN, BBC & other have? brainwashing people minds, shows only what Bush wants U 2 see... shows Gori "bombed with Russian jets" using vids taken by russian news in Tskhinvalli, bombed by Saakashvilli... guys there is no such thing as FREE MASS MEDIA, wake up!

Alex, Novgorod, Russia

I just want to point out couple of things here. Fist of all Cubans are latins spanish desendants or blacks and giving them an american passport wouldn't be comparable cubans to real 90 per cent ethnic russians of south ossetia who even speak a different language to Georgians

guarapo, Caracas , Venezuela

First and foremost, most people forget that it is a documented fact and President Saakashvili of Georgia openly admits, that he exploited Putin's unavailability and the start of the Olympics to aggressively attempt to retake a region that is Russian. Lets not forget that when we start US Flag waving

James, Dayton, Ohio, United States

Russia is playing great : he controls Europe with the gas feed. Putin's puppet is just enhancing his power by intimidating the West.

Next move ? Stop supplying Europe with gas and ally with China.

As long as we're gas and oil dependant, we're handcuffed.

Marc, Paris, France

You have crossed us & we shall now crush you

Richard, Bucharest,

The USA, Britain and others sure love to manipulate the facts. Russia was within ALL of its rights to *defend* its allies from an *invasion*, plain and simple. The west / Europe love villainizing Russia but in the end, we (I myself being an American) have no room and no right to say ANYTHING.

ola, miami, usa

October Surprise.
Bush & Putin are "Soul Mates".
Putin pulls Medvedev's strings.
Struggling to keep the old guard in power on both sides of the divide... The US suddenly votes more conservative and hawkish when threatened. Go figure. Russians know this. Everyone knows it.

Jack Baker, Portland, USA

"Cross us and we'll give you a passport." ...old Russian saying. Alex, Murmansk, " Funny truth.
TO: Russ, Washington, DC, USA. Matt, Washington, D.C., USA. John Fitz, Mayanrd MA, USA. jeremy, San Diego, USa. USSR and Russia are different countries. If no, then Georgia also USSR.

Ilnur, Kazan, Russia

Will it take just 1 Russian to complain of an injustice in any country in the world for Russia to move. It appears so in cases where dissidents outside Russia have commented against Russia . Can the world stand by and watch a ROGUE state like Russia commit such acts of aggression.

Louis, Liverpool, UK

You just come down a little bit. There is much rethoric in what you say accusing the Russians. The withdrawal can not be done in one day. Secondly, nobody invaded Gerogia, they just got what they deserve for killing 2000 civilians no matter with Russian passport or without.

Andrey, Tyumen, Russia

"My sympathies to the Russian people. For a brief period of time you were a free people"

No sympathies, here. Collectively, Russians do not have the maturity, morality and self-discipline for anything other than an authoritarian regime. My wife grew up in Soviet Russia, so ask her...

Steve, Philadelphia, USA

I think the UK only believes in international law and the UN when it is convenient.

Otherwise Britain should pressure allies to:

1. Make recognition of the ICC and ICJ mandatory for WTO membership.

2. End veto power on the UN Security Council.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

Especially for US readers: I'm Russian and I'm free. Free to do whatever I want, free to read all world press in English and to compare it with what is said by Russian media. Its a pity you hate us and afraid of us so much. We don't need Georgian oil or territory - we had enough of ours.

Mikhail, Taganrog, Russia

Well, the Western mass-media is not brainwashing? How about the recent interview of a 12-year girl and her monther evacuated from S.Osetia in the US? How about the latest interview of Condoleesa Rice in Canada? It is clear that you see only one side of the Moon.

Andrey, Tyumen, Russia

My fellow Americans: Rant here if you want. It won't change anyone's opinion of us. Please write your representative asking them to abandon NATO. The only way this can be done is if enough of us demand it. Now is the time. For the Euros who hate us, ask your politicians to close the bases. Thanks.

Mike, Thousand Oaks, USA

Why don't people learn from history? Citing other imprudent and aggressive behavior coming from the US, England or other countries does not justify Russia's current actions. Just because one country makes a foolish decision does not entitle others to follow suit.

Jonathan , Portland, USA

Russians, I know you are foaming at the mouth for war with the west but you need to understand that the "west" is more than just the US. It's basically the rest of the world except China, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. The "west" is your neighbors and they all have plenty of military hardware. Beware!

matt, Southern Colorado , USA

It is interesting that Russia, now not a leading power at the Olympics, chooses this time to convince it's people that it is still a world power. It's leaders have a huge inferiority complex. "Sure we can't win the metal count, but we can still invade like the big boys, where it really matters."

lml, Scottsdale, USA

God Bless America. Vote McCain in 08.

Louie , Media, Pa , USA

Saner people acknowledge Iraq's civilian casulaties since 2003 as between 80,000 and 200,000. The vast majority of which were caused by the various insurgent groups...not coalition troops.

To believe otherwise is to be a tool...but then some people are just exactly that.

StuF, Qld, Australia

Every time when Western people do not have proper arguments they talk about ‘Russian invasion’ somewhere. It is a deliberate distortion of history. Russia could not invade in Czechoslovakia 68 or Afghanistan 79 etc. because Russia did not exist as an independent country between 1917 and 1991. Russian Federation as well as Russians had been more suffered from that devilish regime than Ukrainians or Estonians etc. not to mention Georgians to have special privileges in the USSR.

Alexey, Moscow,

Americans cannot avoid the title of "hypocrite" for opposing Russia's aggression on account of Iraq; however, prior to the war in Iraq - in 02 and 03 - Russia urged diplomacy to the west regarding Iraq. Russia: where is the diplomacy? Hypocrisy indeed.

Jonathan , Portland, USA

In light of Russia's threat to countries in which Russian citizens reside, NATO countries should discontinue renewing residence permits for Russian citizens.

And, Russia has made it so the only safe place for the countries of Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is in NATO.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

This is why you need history. Can anyone say WEIMAR REPUBLIC?

Kaiser Bill, Murphysboro, USA

I'm an American and the United States, Israel,
and Europe want to control the world.

Out of 190 countrues, the United States has
our military in 130 countries. We must return
home and stay out of foreign entanglements.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warned us about the
moneychangers

Lynn

Ron Paul Supporter, rEVOLution, USA

What a stark contrast. The difference between the conduct of American soldiers to the Russian invaders.

Charlie Company, Carbondale, USA

The title of the article do not correctly reflects the meaning of Medvedev’s words. I can open a secret to you: Russians do not have an intention to reconstruct the Soviet Union and wish to be friends to all neighbors. Unfortunately US chooses economic containment and political isolation of Russia.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

What/s next?

If McCain is elected, you will see Eastern -- er, New Europe -- closing deals right and left for new American military bases like Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. Which will up the ante a bit.

With Obama, he'll just stifle it and wait for tempers to cool off.

Tim, Los Angeles,

Georgia (with the aid of Israel, U.S. Troops and Blackwater) committed war crimes in attacking S. Ossetia a full two days before Russia responded. Georgia (and her henchman) were killing innocent men women and children. Russia was within her right to defend the innocent whether you like it or not.

Brad, Seattle, USA

And another thing that all of you brainwashed FOX/MSNBC/CNN drones need to think about and accept. Russia has a very capable military, thousands and thousands of Nuclear weapons, and holds billions of dollars in U.S. currency. Whereas the U.S. is broke, and can barely hold Baghdad.

Brad, Seattle, USA

people, this is not surprising if one is able to observe putins body language especialy his face and eyes. I new all along he was decieving and evil man. I was completely taken aback by the things bush said about him that he could trust him.

michael, ogden usa,

W´s been thumbing his nose at Rusia with his persuit of the missile shield. Why wouldn´t Rusia be just a bit nervious with the U.S. trying to fast-track former Soviet sates into Nato? Rusia´s reaction is predictable. So, predictable, maybe it´s part Cheney´s plan>new nato members & a missile shield

michael, Mexico City, Mexico

The United States is looking out for its allies, once again. I can't believe how many people here actually support what Russia is doing, and keep bringing up "Oh the US invaded Iraq" - guess what, your country probably helped or is helping us, so thank you.

Jason, Fort Bragg, USA

I think the majority of Russian people are not in tacit acceptance that their gov't' is handling this Georgian thing properly. Not unlike many of us in the US think that Bush has handled Iraq et. al. properly.

Lanza, Dallas, USA

Russia and all Russian citizens are now the pariahs of the world. Boycott all things Russian and show contempt for the shameful behaviour of Russia which is supported by the Russian people. Never again put trust or faith in Russians becoming part of the international community. They are KGB.

Trep, Darwin, Australia

MAD: nothing more to say.

Robert, Dallas, USA

Comparing Iraq to what Russia did in Georgia is apples and oranges (for our Russian friends, those are the fruits you import.)

The U.S. spent a year making the case and didn't give the Iraqis a bunch of fake passports either. Russia is making a bad calculation here. The world learned from the past.

Cody, Milwaukee,

My sympathies to the Russian people. For a brief period of time you were a free people. Then your government began limiting press freedoms, confiscating private sector businesses, beating anyone showing public decent, and using vote fraud to steal your elections. Freedom requires resistance to evil.

Alan, Columbus, Ohio, USA

Europeans and others had better hope the US forcefully resists Russia; there is no other country with enough power to do so. Stalin killed millions of his countrymen. The US conquers Germany during WWII and then turns the country back over to the Germans. Who do you want on top?

Jimbo, Kansas City, USA

Poland, Ukrane and Georgia's military needs help being built up, and it should start with a couple of hundred nuke tipped ICBM's each. I'll spend my tax dollars on that!!! One cold war was enough, Putin wants to dance, then let's dance!!!

John , Las vegas, USA

Let's take our Mr. Medvedev's puny Air Force. That shouldn't be much of a task. Unless of course we give the Democrats 8 years in the White House, in that case, they will sufficiently devastate our military infrastructure and give these Cossacks free reign over Europe.

Rafael Gomez, Miami,

Medvedev is a pathetic lap dog. As far as Russia crushing the US, this garbage sounds like the famous Iraqi information minister who spoke similarly before the US military walked into Bagdad in 3 days. One thing for certain, after Russia is destroyed, the West will not rebuild you. Keep pushing guys

Nick, Boontown, WV,

"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none have come about because the U.S. was too powerful." - Ronald Reagan

While the current war in Iraq may be different, the disrespect the U.S. is given here is laughable. The U.S. is by far the most benevolent superpower this world has ever seen.

BDS, Austin, USA

Wait till the olligachs start to see the affect of this invasion on their investments abroad and see how long Putin & his puppet continue to act big.

Only their own electorate are impressed because no one will trust the Russians for years to come.

They need to trade in more than just fuel.

Ken.H, Harrow, UK

One may consider expelling all "Russkies" from the US, the UK and other countries before Putin decides to invade or attack these same countries in order to "liberate" his people.
They should never have been allowed to get in, in the first place. They have a monopoly on white slavery in many counties

Bill Smith, Brisbane, Australia

Putin is doing using the ethnic Russians excuse like Hitler did with ethnic Germans in the surrounding countries. Let's hope the unsuing conflagration which occurred then doesn't occur now. However, if it does, let's hope & pray Comrade Putin and his regime meets the same demise as Hitler & Co.

E. O'Neal, Peoria, IL, USA

The only reason the west is using ONLY diplomacy is because they have too, you cannot attack anyone that has nuclear weapons due to fear of attack. Otherwise there would be more of a response with other means.

Nick, Normal, USA

Who so ever is brave enough to break God's laws shall have to be brave enough to recieve his punishment. No One can escape His judgement including the poor, ignorant and vain soul of Putin. God exists and permeates all things and he will have the last word.

Orta, Miami, U.S.A.

USSR has played the role of butcher in scores of countries around the globe: Korea, VietNam, Afghanistan, Poland, Finland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Cuba, to name a few. Their brutality is well documented. Georgia can now be added to this shameful legacy. Vlade Poo-tin has brought new shame to Russia

AJ, SD, USA

It's a shame most Russians remain brainwashed regarding their country's affairs.
Russian media reports evil Georgians killing civil Ossetians. Western media reports evil Russians invading democratic Georgia.
There are no good intentions from either US or Russia in this conflict, history tells us.

Dmitry, Vladivostok, Russia

Awwww, look how cute! He thinks he's in charge of Russia! If you look closely you can see the strings.

Eric, Park City, USA

"Cross us and we'll give you a passport."

...old Russian saying.

Alex, Murmansk,

Americans are the delusional ones (I know - I'm an Amercan!).

Having dealt with government and the press in America, I can say first hand that "truth" in no quality that can be attributed to either. More of the pot calling the kettle black. This continued hypocrisy only further lowers America.

der Wahrheit, Cuba, Missouri, USA

You speak about Finland... But Finlands perfectly understand, that in war Advice, instead of Russian people are guilty! Except for that if do not trust ask Finlands! In Finland monuments to Tsars which love till now cost and respect!

Vitalis, Tyumen, Russia

Draftees, poorly trained are Russia's Army. Their pilots in Georgia were retired called back to fly. This ia a third rate bunch of hooligans posing as a military force. USA has asked for Turkey's blessing to pass by Istanbul with a fleet of warships into the BlacK Sea and on to Georgia.

John Walsh, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Unprovoked Russian invasions of the last century. None of these countries attacked Russia or Russians:

Poland-1921 & 1939
All 3 Baltic states: 1939
Finland: 1940
Hungary: 1956
Czechoslovakia: 1968

This is not counting Georgia or the forced imposition of martial law in Poland in 1980.

Steve, San Jose, CA,

TO: DAVE, FROM BRADFORK FORD, U.K (whatever)
You are the 'neo-philosophical' types, like to analyze as long as you don't get dirty, BETTER men, BETTER Englishmen saved your life, and your family's lives for hundreds of years. Your cowardice in the face of threats is noted.

James, SF Bay, U.S.A.,

Correct me if I am wrong. But didn't Nikita Kruschev make a similar comment "We will bury you" or something to that effect. Pretty sure it was about something else though.

Larry, mesa , usa

If the comments here reflect what the West thinks about Russia, the world won't have a bright future. This is not just hypocrisy demonstrated by Americans and some Brits; it's a heavy case of hypocrisy. Before lecturing others look at what your governments have done. New Russia did the right thing.

Claude, Toronto,

It's laughable to see the comments here from Brits and Americans chastising Russia for it's actions. With the bankrupt morals and economies of these two nations it would be wise for you lemmings to leave the empty and hypocritical rhetoric about reprisals to your embarrassing leadership.

Kernan, Toronto, Canada

Does Russia really think they can crush the USA? That is amusing... I was going to severely rip into Russia and offer some straight facts but it hit me, not all Russians support this invasion. They just want to live life and raise their kids. I'll stand down...

Templar, Dallas, The United States of America

I am translating from an official source Medvedev to say: ‘everybody who wants to unleash a war against Russia will get a shattering rebuff and proper resources (political, economical and military) we to have’. In my opinion it is not what the article to be talking about but it is direct address to the USA’s leaders.

Alexey, Moscow,

I see most of the 'leftists/Democrats from the USA would be best served by moving to their kindred spirit, Russia.

The USA needs to bring everyone serviceman home from Europe and let Russia teach everyone to speak Russian

JP, Chehalis, USA

If I know Russian troops and military hardware (and I do), the reason the Russians haven't withdrawn from Georgia is 1) they're troops are too drunk to move, and 2) the military tanks/trunks, etc are broken down and can't get back to Russia.

KG, Honolulu, USA

It should not be a surprise that the region of the former Soviet Union is Russia's sphere of influence, where they will tolerate no interference. Not even for a non-Russia controlled oil pipeline. This is totally analogous to the US MONROE DOCTRINE, which tells one and all to stay out of the America

Gunther Steinberg, Portola Valley CA, USA

'Cross us and we will crush you, warns Medvedev'

Fine. Ideas have consequences. Fast track Finland and Sweden for NATO, upgrade Ukraine's defense, and assist Poland in the development of an independent nuclear deterrent. That may make Putin think twice before he goes for his next kill.

EGD, California,

GO RUSSIA!-All the way to Armenia.Become the protector of Christians that you once were 100+ years ago-before murderous Georgian Bolsheviks took over(Stalin,nee Dhugshavili).

Adam Frank, Charlotte,NC, USA

Seems to me that people on here have the rhetoric as all leaders in the world and that is just to insult the comments of others. the best way to think of this is if you have a country and a leader of a country you are at some point going to go to war, the human race is fundementally animalistic

Dave, Bradford, UK

There was a cliche in the old Soviet Union years ago....."There is no Pravda in Izvestia and no Izvestia in Pravda." There is no Truth in the News and no News in the Truth. Nothing's changed. You can take the Russian out of the Soviet, but you can't take the Soviet out of the Russian.

Raul, Havana,

The Russian posters are DELUSIONAL! Do you STILL read your newspapers still & watch your news. The fact that you think Estonians, Ukrainians, or even Russian-Georgians ever actually became your allies is a joke. You either killed their leaders, teachers, & priests & you are trying to do it again.

Tom, san francisco, USA

RE:the 2000 people would be killed by the Georgeans. No one, but maybe the perenially lying Russian authorities, have seen or counted them. The Russians don't let media, Red Cross or anyone else in S.Osetia. Anyone remember Katyn where Russians executed Poles using German bullets? A pat-tern?Yoy bet

Felix, Mountain View, USA, CA

it those fools who think bigger guns and money serve as protectors when in fact it is the people who should have the power to make their governments be accountable and humilated. But you don't and therefore you are all to blame for everything that happens even in a dictorial country. humans=war

Dave, Bradford, UK

As long as Georgia has an internal conflict, it cannot join NATO.

As long as Russia backs the South Ossetia bombardment of nearby Georgian villages, there will be internal conflict.

As long as Georgia is not part of NATO, Russia will back the bombardment of nearby villages by South Ossetia.

Martin, Montreal, Canada

It's funny to see France playing the role of peacekeeper. If there's one nation that will stop at nothing to protect their citizens abroad it's France!

Joris, Woerden, Holland

Totalitarian dictatorships killed more than 100 Million souls in the last century which ended just eight years ago. Shall we give them
another chance?

Peter, Dallas, USA

I often admire the Russians, particularly, for example, for their bravery in WW2. But, Russian friends, you MUST see that you are wrong in this.
When their citizens are at risk in a foreign country, civilized nations evacuate them. Only totalitarian agressors use it as a pretext for for invasion.

L. Long, Gt Yarmouth, UK

Russia invaded Georgia to protect Russians? After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Georgia's independence as a Democratic Republic (1918-1921) was terminated by the Red Army invasion. About 2.9 million Russians live in the USA. Does Russia have the right to "defend" Russians in the USA?

Guy Thompto, Cedarburg, WI , USA

In this article a lot of words spoken about "to protect the 90 per cent of South Ossetians", but no one about over 2000 civilians, killed by georgians, including kids and women. This was the key for Russia to invade & prevent many more thousands of innocent victims protecting them. Think in it!

Antony, St.Peterburg,

It seems that the Russia/Putin apologists' main argument is, "Well, the US was wrong to invade Iraq, so therefore Russia can't be criticized now". C'mon, even school children recognize that this two-wrongs-make-a-right logic is a very bad argument.

David, Washington, DC , USA

Maybe the Russian military can see how their forces will go up against the US Air Force. Since the Russians want to put a base in South Ossetia maybe the US should announce that they are putting an air force base in Georgia.

David, Boston, USA

I thought this was about the Russian stance re: the world. Somehow, someone has to bring America into it. So here goes: the US invasion of Iraq, after much rhetoric by the UN and urging by many expat Iraqis, the lack of finding WMDs months later hav noting to do with the current Russian situation.

Robin Willcourt MD, Newport Beach, USA

After 60 years of Soviet domination, gulags and KGB horror these brave countries obtained their dream of demacracy only to see it threatened again by Russia. Will Europe cry No Blood for Oil this winter as they accept Russian oil? Will they sit in palaces from bygone empires and cluck as people die?

William, Atlanta, USA

To compare this invasion with Iraq shows ignorance of the first order. Sadam ignored 17 UN resolutions, each one stating that if not followed their would be dire consequences (meaning war). Tyrrants everywhere be warned. Putin is testing the West's resolve. Failure here means we history repeats.

Richard, Tucson, US

Russians murdered in Great Purge = ?
Russians murdered in Gulag = ?
Russians buried in mass graves = ?
Did the thinking that led to these circumstances die with the victims?
Dmitry Medvedev presumably made his statement without a hint of irony.

Terence Park, Burnley,

Putin is not Hitler. I'm not talking about morality here just that Russia in 2008 is not Germany of the 1930s. Germany was an industrial power which imported its raw materials, Russia is moving in the opposite direction. Not every act by a dictator is an analogy to Hitler's Third Reich.

Vince, Riverhead, NY, USA

So many people talk about what America has done bad. They have made mistakes but look at how much good they have done. At least they balance out more than any other super power that came before. What good has Russia done, Germany, China. You can't judge anything to perfection. Just to history.

Andrew, Alberta, Canada

I for one do not want a war with Russia. I say we offer them France in exchange for peace.

Bill, Baltimore, USA

Many of the comments from the Russian federation are not Rational, but are just insults. To the Russians reading these comments, the reason the West is uneasy is Russia did not consult with other nations and make a case for action. The lack of a Rational discussion only makes the West distrustfull

Brian Jones, Everett, Washington, USA

The US attack of Iraq has nothing to do with this. To use it as an example for this case shows a lack of understanding of either situation.

Russia is looking more and more like the old Soviet Russia. And unless we do something rather soon, we will be back in a cold war.

Tom, Pasadena, USA

I would like to apologize for U.S. criminal actions. I'm sorry we removed murderer Saddam and gave Iraqi people chance for democracy, sorry we gave Afghan people chance to be free, sorry we liberated Kuwait from Iraqi aggression, sorry we assisted Eastern Europe, South Korea, Europe in WW1&2.

John, Detroit, USA

Here's the difference, "Karl Rove". US liberated Iraq from an evil dictator after decades of murder, threats and defiance.

Russia attacked a free democracy without provocation for the purpose of preventing a new oil pipeline from disrupting its own monopolistic goals.

No war for oil, Russia!

John, Nashville, USA

I guess americans don't need oil, they can just use humans blood to refuel their big cars. Americans is the most fat nation on the planet - I think they have to loose weight a bit. S.Ossetia has never been part of Georgia, and Americans prostitute-killer Saakashvili have no rights for it.

Aleksey, Perm, Russian Federation

Top on the British governments agenda should be energy independence within 10 years. It can be done. Lets get building wind turbines and anything else that makes us energy independent from Russia and the Middle East. Any planning objections must be ignored in the sake of our nations interest.

Philip Reilly, Liverpool, UK

The West and Russia are not far from war. Russia has a problem... The West is technologically supperior, we will see robots, albeit small ones, fighting in the next big war that will not stall in cold weather. As long as Putin is in control, this is coming.

G Ward, Aledo,

The US attacked Iraq when none of its citizens were in danger from Iraq. Is Russia any worse? Maybe the US should respect other country's sovereignty as a start to making a more peaceful world.

Karl Rove, yoohoo, usa

1930's - Nazi Germany annexes Austria, then the Sudetenland to "protect" its German citizens, the rest of Czecheslovakia soon follows and a similar pretext (Danzig) is used to attack Poland (with Russian military support).
2010's - Replace that scenario with Belarus, Georgia then Ukraine.

Ray, Wisbech, UK

There is a beautiful situation which has showed us clearly Anti-Russian moods everywhere over the world. Ancle Sam sells an American truth and all countries over the world buy it . They just fear to be out of American friendship scope. But who knows which country is the next. Good goods for you !!!

Konstantin, Moscow, Russia

"Respect" via the barrel of a gun, or "closed off gas valve" is Putin's way. Nothing has changed in Neo-Soviet Russia. Medvedev uses the vile language of a gangster. I pity Russia's good people and neighbours who will have to relive the nightmare they thought they had escaped from.Putin is bad news!

J McKenna, Glasgow,

so .. 2 questions
1. Must Saakashvili be punished for kiiling people during "regaining control"?
2. If yes ... how?
3. if no .... why?

Alexander, Biysk, Russia

“We have always been a peace-loving state.Practically there is not a single occasion in the history of the Russian or Soviet state when we first started military actions."
This is just a complete joke.Tell this to a Finnish person,and he will laugh at your face.We are starting to see the real Russia

Dave, Espoo, Finland

Please do not judge about Russia from what you hear on your TV. We ARE a peace-loving state. And we don't want any more wars whatever the government says.

Anastasia, Kaliningrad, Russia

Rik, London. Presumably you would have argued for the UK to invade Zimbabwe, since Mugabe pushed all the white farmers (many of whom had British citizenship) out of their homes? Or is all totalitarian aggression instrically good?

Alexei , Mosow,

Russia is attempting to re-establish their empire. Putin is nothing more than a diminuative thug. Russia has to be careful not to anger too many people. Their oil wealth could be neutralized to a great degree if they do. Russian people are great but they've let themselves be subjugated again.

Mark, Houston, USA

i don't understand how any brit or american have a moral right to say anything about russia's relationship with georgia after having killed over 1 mio people in Iraq w/o any reason, the only excuse linked to weapons of mass distraction proved to be false. please explain this to me.

Mikhail, München, Germany

Can everyone cool it for a second. This is one planet. It's small.

William Mark Clarke, Las Vegas,Nevada, USA

Yes gary, austin, USA, like the American meddling in SOuth America, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Isreal, Serbia, Vietnam, Korea, and generally anywhre their is Oil, hence they do no cry much with what is happening in Africa, unless it involves oil...

Darren, London, Uk

John Fitz, Mayanrd MA, USA shall we ask the pople of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan of their feelings of the US sid of things? and let us not forget the ethnic cleansing of the Native American Indians... This was the forrunner of the America character was it not?

Dave, London, UK

To Roman in London: South Ossetia is internationally recognized as part of Georgia by the UN and EU. It is not a sovereign nation, nor is it a part of Russia.

Jake, Nashville, TN, US

Here is the list of the USA so-called "peacekeeping" efforts.
http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/interventions.html

Mikhail, Guildford, UK.

Mikhail, Guildford, UK

Matt, WW2 was never black and white. That was NOT the only time in WW2 that Stalin conspired with another imperial power to dissect another country. Next time was Aug.41, the co-conspirators were Britain and Australia (i.e The Good Guys),with US connivance... it was neutral IRAN.Hooray for our side!

Paul, Brisbane, Australia

To Matt, Washington DC: And precisely how many wars did America start in the past 15 years? Oh yes, we have a case of the pot calling the kettle black!

Said, London, UK

Yeah, those Soviets, nice guys they were...what about murdering the Czar and his entire family in cold blood at the start of their Utopia? Peace loving!? That should be the joke of the day on some calendar.

Russ, Washington, DC, USA

Russia was well within their rights to take such actions; the West should look squarely in the mirror before telling Russia how to behave. It would have been wrong of Russia to ignore the aggressions of Georgia. I side with Russia on this one!

Rik, London, UK

May be it`s time for Americans and Europeans to recall there crimes ?!
What about: Algeria, India, Afghanistan (not only Russians invaded there, the first was the British, and now the States), Vietnam, Serbia, Iraq and so on, and so on.
This self-proclaimed righteousness of the USA makes me sick!

Armen, Moscow,

It is amazing how the west failed to mention that to begin with the Georgian forces invaded South Ossetia and systematically and deliberately killed numerous hundreds of innocent civilians. I am sure it is called "genocide" and preventing it (even by invading sovereign country) is a noble act.

Roman, London,

Russia as a state will only last under either open or covert dictatorship, and the best way to nurture dictatorship is to create an enemy. Kremlin has done everything to provoke Saakashvili, who was stupid enough to bite the bate. Now, the rating of the tandem has gone sky high. Well done, you two!

Andrew, Cambridge, UK

nice to see the bear awakening

Waleed, Kuwait,

Julia in Moscow

"blame for example Georgia"

OK - Georgia! how dare you share a border with Russia and expect your sovereignty to be respected!

Live in the real world Julia - Russia is reverting to its Soviet ways.

Peter, London,

The Russians have a word that describes most of this - sovok. It means dustpan, but it is commonly used to describe the worst kind of people from the Soviet Era. The PM of Russia (who is in control and probably has an earpiece in the President's ear dictating what to say) is the biggest one of all.

Alex, Moscow,

This whole thing is such a poorly disguised plot to rebuild the Russian empire to it's former glory. Stop calling your leaders "president", you might as well call him a Tsar again. What if the US gave passports to everyone in Cuba then invaded to protect it's "citizens"? What would Russia say?

Greg, Apex, NC, USA

Stalin, by the way, was Georgian...>>

julia, Moscow, >>

And Hitler was Austrian....Your point is what?

Russia is terminally aggressive. Stop bullying your tiny neighbours, stop rewriting history. Glad we don't need your gas in the UK.

ken, London,

Hmmm, I thought Gori, Georgia had the 2nd largest Oil Pipeline ?

Ratt, Louisiana, USA

Never attacked another country first? I'm pretty sure that the Finns would have something to say about that?

Bob, London, UK

Why doesn't anyone remember Rzeczpospolita in Lithuania or Prussia ruling in Baltic states or Poland taking control in Russia in 1610 or even Austria-Hungary being the strongest state in Europe in the 19th century? I don't justify USSR actions,but stop acting like there've never been other invasions

Elena, Moscow, Russia

America and Europe must stick together and hold Russia responsible for this naked agression. Putin has shown that he intends to try and rebuild the old Soviet Union style of repression. Putin must pay a heavy price for this venture or he won't stop with Georgia. Is the Ukrane next?

Gerald McFry, Atlanta, USA

Don't compare Russia with USSR. I want to remind everyone that USSR included Georgia, Ukrain, Baltic countries etc which now pretended "democratic" countries, we had heads of the USSR from all of these republics,so who of them took the decision to invade?Stalin, by the way, was Georgian...

julia, Moscow,

Dear, Americans and English friends, read the history!once again:Russia was just on the 15 republics and it's unfair to blame just Russia, blame for example Georgia.Apart from USSR, Russia never attacked other nations and we suffered more than any other country including from Poland, Finland etc

julia, Moscow,

What happened in Georgia is not unique. Most people are unaware the extent to which Russian troops have spread out into the former Soviet republics: Kirgizia, Tajikistan, Moldavia, and Uzbekistan all have Russian “peacekeepers” on their soil.

This time, at least the West is paying attention.

gary, austin, USA

Poland anyone? I'm pretty sure if my memory serves me correctly that the Russians and Nazi German certainly conspired to wipe that country off the map for much of the 20th century. Those Russians, always a peace loving people, especially when they violently invade other countries.

Matt, Washington, D.C., USA

The Russian 'modus operandi' in the past has been hostile occupation, that's why they're reluctant to leave Georgia. When a Czech friend of mine heard about the invasion of Georgia he said; "Here we go again".

...all they needed was the excuse to go in.

Phil, Epsom, England

Has anyone ever read on the causes that brought Russia into Afghanistan or did they just learn of it from the US news media. This new situation is the same. Afghan at one point part of Russia but after the 2nd world war became their own. With a larger group sustaining their USSR citizenship.

Tim, Tulsa, USA

Yes, the president's comment about non-agression is very disputable. Poland Hungary and Checkoslovakia have the right to blame Soviet government. But it were Soviets who saved all these countries from Fascism during II world war, weren't they? Nevertheless it has nothing to do with Georgian invasion

Mikhail, Taganrog, Russia

Or the people of Finland?

Paul, rio de janeiro, brasil

Sincerely, if I were a Russian president, the list i'd do under these circumstances is what Medvedev has done. Congrats Med!
Now to USA & her friends, why not publicly caution Saakashvili on consequences of such reckless actions! or was he acting on advise from washington?
No ill feelings from me.

machelo, Emmussenjeli, Kenya

"Practically there is not a single occasion in the history of the Russian or Soviet state when we first started military actions"

I suspect the people of Afghanistan and most of Eastern Europe might disagree somewhat.

Hedley Lamarr, London,

Do you want, for example, Gordon Brown to say "If anyone thinks that they can kill our citizens and escape unpunished, we WILL ALLOW this. If anyone tries this again, we will NOT come out with a crushing response"?

Alexander, Ekaterinburg,

Dear Mr President, Finland.......Hungary...Czechoslovakia.....Afghanistan....did they attack Russia first?

Toks, London,

"We have always been a peace-loving state.... We have not attacked anyone, we only secured the rights and dignity of people as peacekeepers.”

Was he speaking to the people of Afghanistan?

John Fitz, Mayanrd MA, USA

I don`t see anything "hawkish" in the statement to protect the citizens of a country. Won`t the States do the same? Or do only they have the right to?

Armen, Moscow,

"We have always been a peace-loving state.... We have not attacked anyone, we only secured the rights and dignity of people as peacekeepers.”

Was he speaking to the people of Afghanistan?

John Fitz, Mayanrd MA, USA

"Practically there is not a single occasion in the history of the Russian or Soviet state when we first started military actions."

Medvedev doesn't appear to know his country's history. What about the invasions of Poland in 1939, Finland 1940j, Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968, Afganistan 1979.

Jas, Nott'm, England

Will Germany & France find a way to appease Russia? Despite it's murderous, swaggering brutality, at least the Russian invasion of Georgia, followed by its refusal to withdraw and its bellicose threats reveal the fate that awaits any nation unable or unwilling to defend itself against Russia.

Scott, Chicago, USA

I would like to remind Mr. Putin the ominous day of August 21, 1968 when the Warsaw troops invaded my country, that is the Czech Republic. Dozens death, among them a fresh 26-year old law graduate who was walking downtown Prague with her diploma in her hands and was shot by the Russian soldiers..

Nadia Strakova, Prague, Czech Republic

The hypocrisy of Mr. Medvedev is unmatched. How about invasion of Poland, attack on Finland and occupation of Baltic states? This did not look like actions of peace-loving state.

Ivars, Riga,

What? They sided with Hitler and "confiscated" half of Poland in 1939--typical lying communist views demanding status as super power when any of their so-called wealth can disappear in minutes. Don't trust 'em, Europe, you'll be sorry.

charles t. sherwin, pittsboro nc, usa

" there is not a single occasion in the history of the Russian or Soviet state when we first started military actions"

17 September 1939 Soviet invasion of Poland

jim, copenhagen,

So give a bunch of people in a disputed region Russian passports and then follow up with an attack. Virtual Dictator Putin and his Puppet in Chief Medvedev are doing Russia a great diservice. History will deal with their actions harshly and the Russian people will pay the price.

Uomo Del Ghiaccio, Minneapolis, USA

Russia still posses a lot of power, Americans only come to rescue when money is involved. Since there is no oil in Georgia they can only talk tough. The Soviet Bear has woken up from deep sleep and Nato allies dare not anger the bear so they talk about diplomacy. You have seen nothing yet.

Mr. Hari Thakur, Naintal , INDIA

“We have always been a peace-loving state. Practically there is not a single occasion in the history of the Russian or Soviet state when we first started military actions."

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, .......

jeremy, San Diego, USa

Saakashvili is much worse than Saddam Hussein so if the West needs an excuse for Russia to 'invade' Georgia, how about searching for the WMD there?! a very solid reason - worked wonders for some 'democratic' regimes to occupy very sovereign Iraq etc...So..who will find theirs first then, any bets?!?

Igor , London,

Says Medvedev,

“We have always been a peace-loving state. Practically there is not a single occasion in the history of the Russian or Soviet state when we first started military actions."

Sure, like Poland & Finland 1939, Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968.

Breathtaking rewriting of history.

Flaneur, Budapest,