President Dmitry Medvedev ordered an end to the 'peace enforcement' operation in Georgia earlier in the day, after five days of fighting that followed Georgia's military offensive to seize breakaway South Ossetia. However, he said Georgia must pull its troops back before a peace settlement can be reached.

"We can discuss a final settlement to the situation, which will be possible

Ads

on condition that Georgian troops pull back to their initial positions, with a partial demilitarization of armed units and the second point - the signing of a relevant legally binding ceasefire agreement," Medvedev said, opening talks with Sarkozy.

Speaking to Medvedev in the Kremlin, Sarkozy, who holds the European Union rotating presidency, said the decision was "good news," and urged for a timetable to be drawn up for each side to return to their positions before the conflict.

The French leader said Russia's desire to protect its compatriots' interests in South Ossetia was understandable, but urged the country to use its military strength to ensure peace.

"It is understandable that Russia wants to protect its compatriots' and Russian speakers' interests abroad, and it is also understandable that the international community wants to protect Georgia's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity," he said.

"Russia can use its might to ensure peace. This is the reason why I am in Moscow," the president said.

Sarkozy brought a settlement plan to Moscow drafted by the EU and OSCE, which was reported to have been approved by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier on Tuesday questioned some of the draft's provisions, saying Moscow objects to Georgian troops remaining in South Ossetia, in view of their attack last week on Russian colleagues.

The French leader said he and his foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, had traveled to Moscow after three lengthy telephone talks with Russian authorities, and despite advice in Europe not to go.

The fighting in South Ossetia continued into Tuesday, with Russia bombing military targets in Georgia, and skirmishes reported along the border between Georgia and South Ossetia. Russian forces drove Georgian troops out of the ruined capital of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali, on Sunday.

South Ossetia's leader said on Tuesday he doubts Tbilisi intends to stop fighting, and that Georgian troops are still in the region, firing at civilians.

"I cannot say at the moment that war is over, I do not trust Georgian leaders' statements," Eduard Kokoity said.

MOSCOW, August 12 (RIA Novosti)