The U.S. Department of State said in a statement that it “deplores Russia’s decision effectively to veto” extension of the OSCE Mission’s mandate in Georgia.

“In opposition to the rest of the international community, however, Russia alone has insisted on changing the mandate to reflect its recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” the Department of State said. “Russia’s decision to block the extension of the mission is difficult to justify, given ongoing tensions and significant humanitarian concerns in the region.”

“The OSCE Mission to Georgia has been a valuable contributor to conflict resolution efforts. The Mission’s monitors have played an invaluable role in promoting military transparency and assessing the humanitarian and human rights situation amid reports of serious violations of minority rights and forced displacement of civilian populations in or from Georgia’s region of South Ossetia.”

It also said that Russia blocked the mission’s extension despite of its obligation under the August 12 and September 8 cease fire agreements “to ensure access into South Ossetia for humanitarian assistance and to counter human rights abuses against vulnerable populations.”