Based on Russian history Russia will continue to attack its neighbours until it is stopped by outside force >>

You are absolutly right! Russia should have common borders with Germany.

Zloy Tugarine, Moscow, Russia

Based on Russian history Russia will continue to attack its neighbours until it is stopped by outside force or internal conflict.

Sander Heinsalu, New Haven, US

Russia should now recognise Kosovo if it's using the same principle in Abkhazia/S Ossetia. That'd make the West's position untenable. Georgia meanwhile should call for UN monitored) referenda in the disputed areas. if they vote for independence Georgia should let them go. And then join NATO!

Bob Samms, Warwick, UK

If you keep poking the bear it will rip your head off and it will be your fault. That said I would quite like a war. So go on put those sanctions in place and go for a ground invasion of the Mother Land it did'nt do Napoleon any harm did it?!

james, edinburgh, UK

It's all a mystery to you? Want to know how it all connects, world incident after world incident? Then read about "Trilateralist Goals" and Brzezinski's "Grand Chessboard". You'll find every reference you need in there...............

jay gee , Vancouver, CANADA

Many commentators have said that the Caucasus is not worth going to war over. This immediately begs the question of what is worth going to war over – Ukraine? Moldova? All Eastern Europe? History should have taught European countries at least that appeasement does not work.

Sander Heinsalu, New Haven, US

Reckless people, if you don't drop your idea of pulling Ukraine and Georgia into NATO you will get a real war. Any actions of Russia against you will be justified. This time compared to WWII you will get ground operations of foreign troops (read Russian) on your territory. Do you need this?

Peter, Novosibirsk, Rus

To Philip - if US recognises S.Ossetia and Abkhasia - then why not?

Michael, St.Petersburg, Russia

A Russian 'Suez', perhaps, where economic realities may eventually prevail and so illustrate that 'diplomacy by tank' is so 1968.

m collins, Leeds,

Presumably Russia should withdraw recognition of the two provinces, does that mean the West will do the same with the province of Kosovo? If not, why not?

Brian, Sydney,

The biggest mistake of west is that it thinks that Russia is equal to USSR. That's why "Russia lost that conflict" is not true. Russia won because communist regime is dead. USSR is NOT Russia. And west still thinks it is.

Anton, Zurich, Switzerland

Admit it or not, everyone knows the USA is the bully...! Bullying anyone it chooses...! - whenever it chooses to...! marching all over the planet like it owns the place...! All it knows is MONEY - POWER - and FORCE... Meanwhile, Milliband stomps around ranting and raving in America's big-boots...!

Joanna Jay, Walton on Thames, UK

After the cold war the u.s.a has invaded , pillaged and destroyed countries in the name of democracy highlighted by there need for the rich recourses of the east. U.S.A isin a check position and all they can do is mouth, to attack russia would be disasterous for the entire europe.

Boris, Moscow,

One question: why western press opposes "choice in favour of West" and "choice in favour of Russia" for post-soviet states? If it will be surprise for you, but Russians are absolutely same europeans without any distinction. May be, this is the root of all evil?

chiragu, Kursk, Russian Federation

One must realize Russia has supporting countries North Korea, China and basically the whole East. That is a mouthfull the west cant chew. Russia has nuclear war heads and is not affraid to protect its boarders. The world must takeits blinkers off. Russia is here to stay, or go down with it.

Boris, moskow,

Russia the 'bully' needs to be put in it's place and Georgia and Ukraine saved from a 300 year empire which has produced nothing but war, famine, and misery for millions of people. The West needs to reduce Russia to it's small 16th century state known as Muscovy. Then the world will be safe.

Greg, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

After such move, Russia should think about gaining independence to Chechnya. And Mr. Lavrov is right when he says that Kosovo is different. Majority of the population was forced to flee Abkhazia in 1990s (300,000 people-over 70% of the population), South Ossetia is ethnically cleansed from Georgians

Nina, Tbilisi, Georgia

Yet another regretful example of russofobia. Just a reminder: both Abkhazia and South Osetia have gained de-facto undependence from Georgia in the early 90-s soon after the collapse of the USSR in bloody wars initiated by Tbilissi in implementation of its policy of '"Georgia for Georgians'" .

Dimitri, New York, US

Freezing the bank accounts of Russian top officials (who are extremely rich people) in Western Eruopean banks may help to hinder further escalation of the Russian aggression.

Priit Vahter, Nottingham, UK

God save all those who make geopolitically strategic decisions based on what they read in British tabloids. It seems that the presence of 2,000 Georgian troops in Iraq will give terrorist Saakashvili unconditional support.

Alex, Ottawa, Canada

Your position is more reckless than Russia's. You appear to be advocating military action and/or confrontation. It is same old, same old thinking. Fallacious, uninformed. Your military option may make us roast at some point. Diplomacy, the French way, is the way to go! Trust not your arms always!

Ken Orj, Washington, USA

visa restrictions are west's most effective response? The fact that breaking economic, political or military ties hurts West more than it does Russia only underscores how all of these relationships were unfair to the Russians. Had they been fair they wouldn't be so cavalier about losing them.

Tony, Rochester, USA!

Presumably Russia will now recognise the independent state of Kosovo. If not, why not?

philip, London, UK