President Saakashvili’s non-use of force pledge, followed by similar commitments by Abkhaz and South Ossetian leaders, “create new situation in the region,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said on December 9.

The statement, which is about the upcoming fourteenth round of Geneva talks planned for December 16, also says that this issue of non-use of force pledges “will undoubtedly become main issue” discussed within the security working group in frames of the Geneva talks.

“It is planned to attentively study and discuss the approaches set out in the [non-use of force] statements and to consider the possibility of their legal reinforcement by the international community with the help of available instruments,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“The Russian side is disposed to continue discussions at Geneva in a constructive spirit,” it said.