European foreign ministers have been outraged by Russia’s actions in Georgia, and France’s Bernard Kouchner went on French television last night to make a spectacular allegation.

Before the UN has had time to act on the crisis in Georgia, the Russian president’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence has undermined its efforts.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has given his country’s reaction to Russia’s decision to recognise the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.