Mikheil Kasyanov, leader of Russia's Peoples Democratic Union and former Prime Minister who has publicly stated his presidential ambitions, has condemned the actions of the Russian authorities regarding Georgia.

A statement issued by Kasyanov reads:

"The actions of the Russian leadership, which called upon the UN Security Council for the resolution of an incident that occured in relation to Georgia and which made the decision to implement informal sanctions against the Georgian people, are unworthy of the status of a Great Power. This policy can not be justified by the incorrect, and at times provocative, actions of the Georgian leadership.

The ongoing campaign of discrimination not only against the people of the neighboring state, but also against [Russian] citizens of Geogian nationality, have led to the violation of the Constitution, which directly forbids the limitation of citizens' rights based on ethnicity. We have to admit that Russia's first presidency in the G-8 would be marked not only by gas scandals, but also by chauvinist hysteria."