Georgia leader warns West of alienating Russia

PRAGUE – The president of Georgia, a country carved up by Russian troops in 2008, warned Western countries on Friday against alienating Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

Giorgi Margvelashvili said that could have consequences for the rest of Europe.

“I don’t think it’s a right choice to alienate Russia, to cut relations with Russia,” Margvelashvili said. “Because alienating Russia makes Russia even more aggressive, unpredictable and dangerous.”

He said diplomats should instead make it clear to Russia “that relations between neighbors or countries around the world aren’t built through military interventions.”

He said his country was not afraid of any retaliation by neighboring Russia for the EU move but added: “We are cautious.”

Associated Press