President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday pledged military protection for Georgia's regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as he signed a partnership accord with the governments of both breakaway provinces, reported dpa. "We will give each other all necessary support, including military support," Medvedev said in language formalized in the text of the agreements. "With a view of safety of the signatories ... each party will give the other the right to build, utilize and modernize military infrastructure and army bases on its territory," Russian news agencies quoted the agreement as saying. Medvedev announced last week that Russia would keep 3,700 troops in each breakaway region, infuriating Western partners who said the decision violated an EU-brokered peace treaty. "We will not allow a new military adventure. No one should have any illusions about that," Medvedev said. The pact, also signed by South Ossetia President Eduard Kokoity and Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh, promises to formalize military, diplomatic and economic cooperation with Moscow. Russia burned bridges with the West by recognizing the independence of the Georgian regions after beating back Georgian forces who moved into South Ossetia last month. Only Nicaragua has followed Moscow's lead in recognizing the regions.
