Russia's Medvedev denies disputes with Putin over Georgia war
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia's Medvedev denies disputes with Putin over Georgia war, 4 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/520895053bf.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 04, 2013
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (left) said that he and President Vladimir Putin (right), who was prime minister at the time, didn't speak by telephone until after Russian forces were deployed against Georgian troops in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has refuted reports that he had major disagreements with President Vladimir Putin over Russia's August 2008 war with Georgia.
Speaking in an interview with Russia Today to mark this month's fifth anniversary of the conflict, Medvedev said that "there was nothing to divide our positions in that period or later on. These are just rumors."
Medvedev, who was Russia's president at the time, said the decision to go to war was his own.
He said that he and Putin, who was prime minister at the time, didn't speak by telephone until after Russian forces were deployed against Georgian troops in South Ossetia on August 8, 2008.
The war lasted five days, with Russia's navy blockading parts of Georgia's Black Sea coast and troops temporarily occupying the cities of Poti, Gori, Senaki, and Zugdidi.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, Interfax, and Russia Today
Link to original story on RFE/RL website