Medvedev: Relations with Georgia will improve only with new leaders

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev is sure that Russia and Georgia will establish good relations, but only with a new president. "I do not know how to do it with the current president", Medvedev said at a public meeting in Stanford University, Interfax reports.

Medvedev underlines that he "would really like relations between Russia and Georgia to take a turn for the better". "Moreover, I am absolutely sure it will happen", the president said. "The only question is when", he added.

"Unfortunately, and this is my position, these relations are now dramatically bad. But it is not our fault, as we believe that Russia defended its citizens and interests", Medvedev said.
As for the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, he noted that "different approaches could be used here".

Some people think these territories should be returned to Georgia. But there is another point of view, that after declaring independence these territories get an international legal identity, and this is Russia's point of view", Medvedev said.