Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 24 / Trend N. Kirtzkhalia /
Russian President Vladimir Putin will do everything to ensure Russia and Georgia remain fraternal countries, Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II said in Moscow while visiting sculptor Zurab Tsereteli's workshop.
"I had a meeting with Vladimir Putin and we agreed that this strained situation cannot continue," he said. "The Russian President will do everything for our countries to remain fraternal."
Patriarch stressed that that neither Russia nor Georgia is guilty of this situation.
"It was the fault of certain individuals," he said. "I thank everyone here as you love Georgia, and we feel it."
Large scale military actions were launched in South Ossetia in Georgia on August 8, 2008. Later, Russian troops occupied Tskhinvali and expelled the Georgian military. Russia recognised the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia late in August. Tbilisi ended diplomatic relations with Moscow in response and has announced the two unrecognised republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be occupied territories.