“Irresponsible announcements of Georgian politicians and their actions aimed at hampering talks on the issue bog down bilateral relations in a deadlock and threaten Russia’s interests as well as the security of the region in general,” an address from the deputies to the president reads.

Russian parliamentarians believe unilateral action related to Russian bases undermine the health and property of Russian servicemen and members of their families. This threat to Russia’s vital interests provides grounds for Russia’s adopting measures to enhance an adequate response. With this in mind, the Russian State Duma has called on the president and the cabinet to recall Russia’s ambassador to Georgia for consultations in Moscow, stopping granting of Russian visas to Georgians travelling to Russia, and stricter measures aimed at enhancing deportation of Georgians violating Russian registration standards.

Deputies also propose imposing economic sanctions against Georgia, such as supplying energy products at global prices and a simultaneous cut in the amount of energy supplied. If Georgian authorities take steps resulting in further rising of tension, Russian deputies believe Russia will be entitled to implement even stricter moves aimed at enforcing security and safety of Russian military equipment and property, as well as protecting lives of Russian citizens.

Russian parliamentarians back the president’s efforts aimed at enhancing Russia’s national interests and national security. Deputies expressed their hope of Georgians agreeing to solve the problem in a way acceptable for the two parties.

Russian Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov has said proposals voiced by parliamentarians were not the only steps which could be adopted by Russian authorities. He said Russia would not like Georgia becoming a state unfriendly towards Russia.

Georgian defense minister Irakly Okruashvili has announced that Georgia is not planning to take any radical steps related to Russian military bases. However, he said the term for Russia’s withdrawing its bases could not last forever. Georgia's deadline for Russia expires on May 15. If Russia does not agree to withdraw its military bases from Georgia under terms set by Tbilisi, then they could be deemed illegal and activities blocked. Georgia’s foreign ministry will stop granting visas to Russian servicemen going to visit Georgia, and the interior and defense ministries will control movements of Russian servicemen on their territory. Russian military bases will be prohibited from updating and modernizing military equipment and holding exercises.

Georgian foreign minister Salome Zurabishvili confirmed that bilateral talks were being still held. She said Tbilisi had received new documents sent by Moscow, being discussed now, but declined to elaborate. These announcements were voiced after a meeting between members of the Georgian cabinet and representatives of NATO and ambassadors of NATO member countries. Participants there focused on withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia and an individual plan for partnership with NATO. Detailed discussions on this plan will be held in Brussels on May 18.

In a separate move, the Russian Federation Council has expressed its perplexity about the recent announcement made by the Latvian sejm (parliament) claiming USD60bn-USD100bn in damages for the alleged Russian occupation and its call for deportation of former Soviet servicemen. Deputy head of the Federation Council committee for CIS affairs Andrey Ishchuk told journalists that senators considered these claims astonishing. It seemed that Latvian politicians, in power now, did not know and did not want to know the history of their country and the history of international relations, including that for the past ten years.