"Medvedev's Warning: Annexation Looms for Georgian Breakaway Regions"

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warns that Russia could annex Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia if concerns regarding Georgia's possible NATO membership become closer to reality. Medvedev accuses the West of creating tension by discussing Georgia's NATO membership and states that joining Russia is still popular in the breakaway regions. Georgian officials have expressed their commitment to joining NATO as a way to preserve their country's territorial integrity. Moscow recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008 after a brief war with Georgia. Medvedev's warning comes on the 15th anniversary of Russia recognizing the independence of the regions.